The CIS-YF (Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers), the Young Farmers’ Scheme successor, will provide payment to eligible young farmers in the new CAP, which some farmers may be able to draw down in addition to the National Reserve.
With the CIS-YF, payment is issued based on the number of eligible hectares, subject to a max of 50ha and for a max of a 5-year period, rather than per activated payment entitlement, as was the case in the previous CAP’s YFS model.
Young Farmer Scheme applicants can transfer across into the CISYF for the remainder of their 5-year term of eligibility and avail of new payment rates – which are higher than the YFS – under the CISFY.
Young Farmer Top up
Enda Maloney, a drystock advisor at Teagasc Ballinrobe, who featured in Teagasc Mayo’s recent webinar on new direct payments, commented:
“If any young farmers are out there and went in for their Young Farmer Top-Up in 2022, they will now qualify for four years of CISYF going forward.”
“If a young farmer went in for a young farmer top-up in 2020, again, they will get three years in this new CIS-YF,” he added.
“Basically, you are only a young farmer for five years for scheme purposes.”
According to Maloney, there is a funding allocation of circa €35.58m each year for CIS-YF from 2023-2927, and payment rates are averaging at circa €175/ha over five years of the scheme, subject to a max of 50ha.
During the presentation, he outlined changes between the old and new CAP periods for the scheme:
Old CAP:
- Payment of approximately €67/activated entitlement (max 50) for 5 years;
- Under 40 at the time of first application;
- Set up in 5 years preceding first application;
- Completed Level 6 agricultural education course;
- Submit a valid BPS application.
New CAP:
- Significant increase in the rate of payment to an average of approximately €170/ha (max 50 ha). (Estimated rates of between €170-€180/ha have been quoted previously) for 5 years;
- Under 40 at the time of first application: Apply on your 39th birthday or younger to draw down for 5 years;
- Set up in 5 years preceding first application;
- Completed Level 6 agricultural education course;
- Submit a valid BISS application.
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