A strategic plan covering the period 2018 to 2021 has been launched by the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster (YFCU).

It focuses on the growing range of services to be provided to members over the next three years, covering issues such as improved communication, education and training, and helping to develop future farming leaders.

With membership increasing from 2,200 to 3,000 in the last seven years, the YFCU is in a strong position. According to YFCU president James Speers, it has an important role to play in developing awareness around important issues such farm safety, antibiotic resistance and farm biosecurity.

However, the organisation is reliant on Government funding, with around £115,000 coming annually from the Education Authority and £75,000 from DAERA.

The current period of DAERA funding ends in March 2021, but the Education Authority funding runs out in March 2019.

Commenting at the launch of the plan this week, YFCU chief executive Michael Reid said a recent inspection by the Education Authority had gone “very well” and he was confident future funding would be secured.

Land mobility

The other main initiative being taken forward by the YFCU, in conjunction with the UFU, is the Land Mobility Programme, led by John McCallister.

Now in its second year, it has 200 people on a database and 18 agreements over the line, mainly related to share-farming, farming partnerships and long-term lease agreements.

“We have other agreements in the pipeline, but often the most limiting factor is the ability of a partner to move to another part of the country. We are also still pushing for tax changes to encourage long-term leasing, as happens in the Republic of Ireland,” he said.

The programme received £120,000 of funding from DAERA to cover the first two years. That money runs out in July 2019. To ensure the programme continues into the future, some private sector funding is required.

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