Top-up boost for young farmers

A 25% top-up on direct payments on up to 50 hectares for farmers aged 40 years is the main improved support for young farmers.

It is worth up to €16,000 over the five years from establishment of a holding in a young farmer’s name.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said: “It is vital that we do everything we can to encourage young people to take up a career in farming if the innovation and new ideas required to generate the smart, green growth envisaged under Food Harvest 2020 are to be realised.”