Macra na Feirme will meet the Department of Agriculture this week over the prospect of no funding for a 2016 National Reserve as advised by the Department of Agriculture recently.
The organisation will be reiterating its call for a 2016 National Reserve fund to meet the requirements of young farmers.
Sean Finan, Macra na Feirme National President said the stop – start nature of young farmer measures in recent years has resulted in many falling through the cracks and not being properly catered for by the CAP.
“Young farmers have missed out on Installation Aid and National Reserve in some years – creating an uneven playing field.”
According to Macra given that there is an estimated €8 million of young farmer top up funding unused in 2015 which will be redistributed to all farmers, a provision could be made for the National Reserve applicants in 2016.
It says the national reserve is an important policy instrument to help young farmers get established.
“If you close the National Reserve you close the door on many young farmers establishing in farming in 2016.
A meeting of the Department of Agriculture’s Direct Payments Advisory Committee is scheduled for Wednesday 6th April in Portlaoise to discuss the 2016 National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme.
At the meeting, Macra na Feirme will be making the case for a 2016 National Reserve on behalf of young farmers.