News & Press Room

The CAP deal agreed yesterday provides greater flexibility on maximising the utilisation of the 2% mandatory young farmer measure to deliver a 25% top up for young farmers for their first 5 years in farming. 

Macra National President Kieran O’Dowd, speaking from Brussels, said, “The options for implementing the young farmer top up will need careful consideration over the next few months to maximise the draw down and benefit to young farmers. “ 

The young farmer measure in pillar 1 is worth approximately €800 million annually for European young farmers and up to €24 million to Irish young farmers. 

Mr O’Dowd said, “Consideration also needs to be given to exploring options to facilitate the retirement of farmers considering or willing to retire in tandem with the establishment of the next generation of young farmers and facilitating greater land mobility.”