NORTHERN IRISH farmers looking to make 'transformational' investments in their businesses have been invited to register their interest in the £12 million second tranche of the province's Farm Business Improvement Scheme's Tier 2 capital grants.

Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots made the announcement during a visit to the farm of vegetable grower Roy Lyttle in Newtownards, Co.Down, who benefited from the first tranche of Tier 2 of the FBIS to construct a dedicated cold store and covered loading area.

This second tranche will be worth up to £12million, and will support on-farm projects costing in excess of £30,000. Funding is provided at a grant rate of 40% of eligible costs, with £250,000 the maximum grant available.

Only those farm businesses which submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) will be eligible to submit a full application later in the year, and will be invited to training webinars ahead of the application stage.

The Expression of Interest form seeks information on the type of investment planned, approximate total costs and potential time for completion, and must be submitted before 4.00pm on 13 August 2021.

Minister Poots said: “The information received will enable my Department to consider interest in a second tranche of Tier 2 at this time. Therefore this is a mandatory step. I would encourage potential applicants to read the guidance notes online and if they feel they are ready to invest, complete an Expression of Interest form or if necessary contact my Department with any eligibility queries before submitting the form."