There is positive news on the horizon for farmers considering establishing a Registered Farm Partnership (RFP) in 2021, with the Department proposing to rollover the grant into 2021.

The collaborative farming grant is a measure under the current Rural Development Programme (RDP 2014 to 2020), so was due to finish in 2020 like other schemes.

The grant makes a contribution towards the legal, accounting and advisory costs incurred during the setting up of a Registered Farm Partnership. The Department report that to-date, some 1,266 Registered Farm Partnerships have been paid a total of €1.68m.

They add that a further cohort of applicants are due to be paid in the next few weeks.

A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture told the Irish Farmers Journal: “Recognising the value of contribution, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is proposing to roll over the grant into 2021 under the existing terms and conditions.

“New RFPs will be invited to apply in the normal manner when the next tranche is opened in 2021."