While the main decisions around CAP have now been made, there remain a number of things still to be clarified – particularly around the young farmers’ scheme.

One of the key issues relates to the status of young farmers in multi-member businesses or 50:50 partnerships and just what will be required as proof where the young farmer potentially takes over as the “head of holding”.

The principle is that a young farmer (40 or less in the year of application to the scheme) must be in long-term control of the business to be eligible to receive the €84/ha top-up payment on up to 90ha, for a maximum of five years. More clarity is expected from DARD this autumn.

Another issue is the requirement that a young farmer must have a minimum Level 2 qualification in agriculture to receive the top-up payment. A list of eligible agricultural qualifications is available on the CAFRE website (www.cafre.ac.uk) – click on “industry support”.

Alternatively, those with queries can contact CAFRE directly, by sending an email to developmentservice.admin@dardni.gov.uk or by calling 028-94426770.

For those young farmers who do not have the required level 2 qualification, a course will be available this autumn and winter.

This will be a part-time course with normal attendance of one evening each week over a 20-week period.

The course will comprise two modules: a farm business module and an enterprise module related to the business of the young farmer.

The courses will probably be delivered at local centres. The application period is expected to open next month.

As well as some details on the young farmers’ scheme, information on the new basic payment scheme and the greening payment is available in a Countdown to CAP bulletin published on the DARD website (www.dardni.gov.uk).

Anyone with a specific CAP query can also call the DARD helpline number on 0300-2007848 or send an email to the DARD helpline email address dardhelpline@dardni.gov.uk.