Some 25% of the young farmers who applied to the National Reserve in 2017 are ineligible for the scheme.

Figures obtained from the Department of Agriculture by Irish Farmers Journal reveal that 330 of the 1,300 farmers who applied did not meet the eligibility criteria and were unsuccessful or were withdrawn.

There has been no definitive answer from the Department as to whether there will be a National Reserve Scheme in 2018 or not.