Young dairy farmers are set to receive dairy aid payments this week, the Minister for Agriculture, Simon Coveney has announced.

Speaking following the conclusion of a key meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Brussels yesterday the Minister confirmed that the direct top-up of €800 will issue to young dairy farmers in the coming days.

Minister Coveney announced details of the direct aid package for the dairy and pig sectors of €27.4m back in December.

The funds compromise off €13.7m of EU funding and a further €13.7m in matching national funding.

Minister confirmed a flat rate payment for each of the 18,000 dairy farmers of €1,350. However, there will be an additional €800 top-up for young dairy farmers.

Eligibility

According to the Department, young farmers for this payment will be defined as dairy farmers who have successfully applied for the Young Farmer Scheme.

This top-up payment will be made in early 2016 when the scheme is finalised.

The Department received some:

  • 7,000 National Reserve applications
  • 8,500 Young Farmers Scheme applications
  • 3,500 Scottish Derogation applications in 2015

Why Are Dairy Farmers Getting A Payment?

Back in September, in order to effectively address the existing market disturbance in the dairy sector, the European Commission deemed it appropriate to provide aid to Member States in the form of a one-time financial grant as part of its recent announcement on a package.

Ireland has been granted an allocation of €13.7m from an overall fund of €420m.

The relevant Commission Regulation, as revised at the request of Member States, including Ireland, provides scope for a national top-up of up to 100% to this EU payment.