Macra na Feirme has been provisionally assured that young farmers will have continued access to National Reserve funds this year, subject to ministerial approval.

Due to the extension of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in 2021, there was a question mark over the continuation of some funding, but Macra has been told the National Reserve will be funded from any unused allocation of the Young Farmers Scheme.

Macra na Feirme president Thomas Duffy cautiously welcomed the confirmation, but pointed out that the National Reserve would be funded from €6m of allocated Young Farmer Scheme money this year, due to the five-year limit on recipients receiving the top-up.

Young Farmer Scheme

This will leave a number of young farmers under 35 without the young farmer payment this year, with no expectation that this funding gap will be filled by another scheme.

“The decision to fund the Young Farmer National Reserve and keep this money in the area of generational renewal is welcome.

"However, the overall allocation to young farmers is still down and this must be matched by increased supports in pillar II,” said president Duffy.

The organisation also called for a new investment limit for the transition period under TAMS.