No National Reserve for 2016 ‘a huge blow’

The announcement by the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, that there will be no Basic Payment National Reserve in 2016 calls into question the Government’s commitment to young farmers, Macra has said.

Last week, Mr Creed, in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD Pat Casey, said the National Reserve fund last year was based on a 3% cut to the Basic Payment Scheme financial ceiling, and provided €24m — the maximum financing rate available under the relevant EU regulations.

“When finalised shortly, there will be some 6,000 successful applicants under the 2015 National Reserve. As all of the National Reserve funding has been utilised, there is no funding available to cover the operation of a 2016 National Reserve,” he added.