Farming: Producer groups can access up to €30,000 under reopened support scheme
Producer organisations are established by primary producers and are intended to increase the collective bargaining power of their members and strengthen farmers' position within the food supply chain.
Farm producer groups can access up to €30,000 in grant funding over three years under a government scheme which has reopened for applications.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has announced a new round of the Early-Stage Support for Producer Organisations (ESSPO) Scheme, aimed at groups seeking official recognition as producer organisations (POs).
The scheme provides recognised POs with grant funding of up to to €10,000 per year during their first three years to help cover eligible administrative costs.
These costs can include hiring personnel and acquiring technology relevant to the operation of the organisation.
Producer organisations are established by primary producers and are intended to increase the collective bargaining power of their members and strengthen farmers' position within the food supply chain.
Minister Heydon said recent EU legislation aimed at strengthening farmers' position in the food supply chain has reinforced the potential role of POs.
He said the new rules will simplify recognition procedures and reduce transaction costs for producer organisations.
One of the changes will allow a PO to seek recognition covering multiple agricultural sectors or products through a single request, rather than requiring an individual request for each specific sector.
Multi-sector recognition will still depend on an organisation meeting the relevant conditions for each sector covered by its application.
For an organisation to qualify for recognition, it must be established at the initiative of active farmers producing agricultural products from the soil or stock farming.
It must also operate under rules which allow its farmer members to democratically scrutinise the organisation and its decisions.
In addition to the administrative funding available to recognised POs, a separate grant of up to €3,000 is available to qualified facilitators providing legal and business advice relating to the establishment of a producer organisation and preparation of an application.
Minister Heydon said the financial support is intended to help organisations during the crucial early stages following recognition.
“Grant funding of up to €10,000 per annum is available to cover eligible administrative costs, including hiring personnel and acquiring relevant technology,” he said.
“This is an important boost in the early stages for POs.”
Producer organisations applying for administrative grant aid must ensure they are not already receiving EU or national funding for the same eligible items.
Minister Heydon said he believes there is scope to increase the number of officially recognised producer organisations operating in Ireland.
“Reopening the scheme for a fresh tranche of applications allows more POs to gain formal recognition and financial support,” he said.
The latest application window opens on Wednesday, September 30, and will run for six weeks, closing on November 11, 2026.
The Department of Agriculture has also indicated that another opportunity to submit applications for recognition is expected early next year.
Prospective applicants are being advised to examine the scheme's terms and conditions and seek appropriate advice on establishing and operating a producer organisation before submitting an application.
