Greater flexibility will help promote the next generation

Young farmers’ permanent top-up in future CAP budgets will help promote the next generation of farmers, said ICOS president Bertie O’Leary.

The new CAP provides greater flexibility on maximising the utilisation of the 2% mandatory young farmer measure to deliver a 25% top-up for a young farmer’s first five years in farming.

“The future of the co-operative movement is dependent on young farmers regenerating our membership and our board structures,” said Mr O’Leary. “We supported our colleagues in Macra in calling for this since the outset of negotiations.”