The availability of a fully resourced Basic Payment National Reserve in 2016, and subsequent years, is essential for young farmers, according to Macra.
Macra na Feirme National President Sean Finan said the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will need to examine a reallocation of funding to ensure the future of the 2016 National Reserve is secured should demand in 2015 result in insufficient funds being available.
The call is a response to indications from the Department that the level of funding available in the National Reserve may not be adequate to open the 2016 reserve to both young farmer and new entrant mandatory category applicants.
The Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said there is no designated funding from the Basic Payment Scheme to fund a reserve in 2016.
He confirmed that funding for the reserve in 2016 would be limited as it could only draw on unused funds from the 2015 reserve and from clawback arising from the sale of entitlements without land in 2016.
National Reserve helps farmers get established
Sean Finan said 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 young farmers establishing in farming in 2016.”
Chairman of Macra’s Agricultural Affairs Committee, Bryan Hynes, reiterated his committee’s unanimous call for the need for a reserve every year.
A consistent approach is required for young farmers’ schemes.
“The previous approach of a start-stop nature to young farmer schemes has a detrimental impact on young farmers. It is obvious from past experience that when schemes are suspended or closed they have a knock on effect for future eligibility for these young farmers.”
The Association has requested a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the serious issue of the national reserve and on the re-allocation of funds to support the future of the Basic Payment National Reserve.