Farmers applaud €5m national reserve reopening

Macra na Feirme and the IFA have welcomed Agriculture Minister Michael Creed’s decision to allocate €5m in funds for the newly-reopened 2017 national reserve.

In line with EU regulations, young farmers and new entrants to farming can apply for the €5m fund for 2017, equivalent to unspent funds in the 2015 young farmers scheme. The reserve was closed in 2016.

Successful applicants will receive entitlements at national average value or a top-up to any entitlements below the national average. The 2015 national reserve helped more than 6,000 young people enter farming.