The re-opened National Reserve is great news for young farmers who want to progress their careers, said Macra na Feirme National President Seán Finan.

Herdowners can use the www.icbf.com website to see if all their animals have a direct or indirect negative BVD status — which could entitle them to cheaper BVD testing.

Macra has advised young people intending to start farming, or who have recently set up in farming, to plan carefully for the Single Farm Payment National Reserve.