New poultry animal welfare subsidies are available soon

(Photo: Pixabay)

The head of the department pointed out that it will be possible to submit support applications between November 15 and December 15, 2022, and between September 15 and October 15, 2023. The grant application submitted this year means a request for a period of 12 months, which will be followed by another one-year grant period in the fall of 2023. The current one-year commitment period of the subsidy starts on October 16, 2022, so from then on, higher-level conditions must be ensured for the livestock in order to draw the subsidy, the minister emphasized. He added that agricultural producers who are listed in the registration systems as keepers of animals, fulfill all their animal health registration and follow-up obligations, and comply with animal health and animal protection rules can submit an application for support.

The previous support system has been expanded

István Nagy said that in the EU agricultural support system, up to now, support options for poultry farmers were basically available to support investments, but this has now been expanded with a form of support that compensates for higher animal welfare requirements. The appeal aims to improve the well-being of poultry flocks by reducing animal density, preventing mechanical injuries, using potable quality drinking water, and feeding toxin-free feed for hens and breeding poultry flocks that produce edible eggs. The conditions were developed based on consultation with the European Commission, according to EU regulations, he added. The minister also drew attention to the fact that according to the EU regulations on avoiding double funding, the animal welfare activities supported by this source must be excluded from the poultry animal welfare subsidies financed from the national budget. These will be financed from the Rural Development Program and then from the Strategic Plan tenders. Within the framework of the national poultry animal welfare support 2022/2023 III. and IV. for the fourth quarter of 2018, payment requests will therefore no longer be submitted to ensure that the feed is free from undesirable substances, as well as to ensure the drinking water quality required for feeding, nor to prevent mechanical damage. Regarding the measures not affected by the call, the national support title will still be available, István Nagy pointed out.

The new call can be viewed at www.palyazat.gov.hu.

AM