A number of Green Cert students with plans to avail of the National Reserve and Young Farmer Scheme (YFS) this year are being caught by the schemes’ new education deadline.

While the Department of Agriculture previously accepted applicants into the National Reserve and YFS as long as they had commenced the Green Cert, the new terms and conditions state that they “must have successfully completed an agricultural qualification at FETAC Level 6 or its equivalent by 15 May 2017”.

Those who have finished all their course work, exams and practicals but not yet received their certificate can apply provisionally if they enclose a form signed by their college.

Outgoing Macra president Seán Finan, who led the protracted talks to have the National Reserve open this year, acknowledged those cases but told the Irish Farmers Journal that a cut-off point had to be agreed in the negotiations.

It is unclear whether the National Reserve will open in coming years.

Too late

One 36-year-old farmer from Kilkenny told the Irish Farmers Journal he will complete his Green Cert in October, too late for this year’s deadline.

“A lot of people got money in 2015. I understand maybe people got the money and did not complete the course,” he said. “But I missed out the last time and I’m missing out again. I was going to take over the whole farm this year. It’s frustrating.”

Like others in the same situation, he did not wish to have his name published.

A 34-year-old farmer from Co Offaly said he attended the 180-hour course that was mandatory to qualify in 2002, but had to go back to the home farm before obtaining his final qualification because his father had cancer. After failing to have his qualification recognised in the past two years, he recently re-enrolled. “Last year, they told me to go back to college and that only being in college would allow me into the National Reserve,” he said. He has borrowed money to stock the farm and was hoping to pay down his debts. “I was relying on that. At the moment I’m not making a living out of it,” he said.

A 32-year-old distance student of Mountbellew College said he would finish his Green Cert this December, also missing the deadline.

“It’s very disheartening that the goalposts are moved without any notice and many young farmers and new entrants are left disenfranchised and have no recourse,” he said. “These additional funds are of major significance to young farmers like myself who could use them for investments to make our farm business more efficient and sustainable.”