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Young farmer Scheme 2021:
Who is Eligible?
Must have submitted a BPS 2021 application.
The farmer must be no more than 40 in the calendar year upon first submission of the BPS.
Must possess FETAC level 6 agricultural qualification by 17th May 2021.
Must be a first time set up of an agricultural holding by the applicant or has set up during the 5 years prior to the 1st BPS application.
The applicant must also have entitlements.
What are Payment Rates?
25% of national average payment/ha x a maximum of 50 activated entitlements e.g. €46 x 50 = €2,300 top up.
What documents are required with the application?
For individual Young Farmers a copy of the qualification received and a letter confirming this qualification meets the scheme requirements.
For a joint herd number etc. the following is required - qualification & letter, birth certificate, National Reserve/Young Farmer Scheme Declaration form to be signed by solicitor & finally in the case of a Joint herd Herd number only details of (bank statement) showing the young farmer's name is on the account.
Are there any further rules for existing Young Farmers?
A box must be ticked in the BPS application. If the box is not available then the applicant must complete a new application online. If there was a change of registration to the herd number applicant must submit an application online. For example if a 2020 Individual Applicant went into a Partnership in 2021 the department must be notified.
What is the 5 year rule?
This is the 5 Year payment period. It is from time the young farmer qualifies for the YFS. If the Young Farmer already was farming, be it in a group or individually this is included in the calculation.
National Reserve:
How does a farmer meet the conditions of the scheme?
All the conditions of the Young Farmer Scheme must be met with one addition i.e. the applicant must have a gross off-farm income not exceeding €40,000 in tax year 2019 or 2020.
Who else within the group does the €40,000 threshold apply?
All participants within
1) Joint herd number
2) Company
3) Registered Farm Partnership
are taken into account i.e. off-farm income of all members on the herd number is taken into consideration.
Farmers must supply for example a Form 11 or P60.
What is the 'New Entrant' Category?
Farmer submits a 2021 BPS.
Must have commenced farming in 2019 or later with no agricultural activity in their name 5 years prior.
What is the difference between the New Entrant Category and Young Farmer Category under the National Reserve?
The YF category requires the applicant to be no more than 40 years of age at any time during the Year in which they first submit a BPS and the NE must have started present farming activity in 2019 or later.
Advantages of applying to National Reserve?
2 aspects
1) Land with no entitlements receives entitlements (National Average)
2) A top up is available for existing entitlements below the national average.
There is a maximum amount of entitlements that can be claimed under the NR. In the case of a Partnership, the qualifying Young Farmer in the group is allocated entitlements only.
What was the national average in 2020?
Approximately €185.
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