Those who commenced farming on the 1 January 2008 will be eligible to apply for the National Reserve, according to Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney. The group known as the ‘old young farmers’ can submit applications to the National Reserve next month, Minister Coveney confirmed.
These farmers were unable to benefit from the Young Farmers Installation Scheme and will not be able to qualify as a ‘young farmer’ under the new Basic Payment Scheme.
The Installation Scheme was suspended in October 2008 and only those who started farming on or after the 1 January 2010 may qualify as ‘young farmers’ under the Basic Payment Scheme.
The Irish Farmers Journal exclusively revealed in February that those who commenced farming in 2008 and 2009 would be eligible for the National Reserve.
In a statement released on Friday, the minister said the ‘old young farmers’ can apply for the National Reserve in April.
“Since the start of the negotiations on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy I have been very aware of that group of farmers who, while meeting all other conditions of these schemes, were not able to benefit. I am delighted to announce that this group will now be eligible to apply to the National Reserve,” he said.
“I would encourage all eligible persons to submit their application when the online facility becomes available in April”.
In order to qualify for the National Reserve, the farmer must be aged no more than 40 in the year in which she/he is applying and hold a FETAC level 6 qualification in agriculture.
The ‘old young farmers’ will be catered for under phase two of the National Reserve and the online application will be available in early April.
(Source – Irish Farmers Journal – Aisling Hussey – 20/03/2015)