That’s Farming has received official clarification from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on the 5-year payment/eligibility period impacting young farmers, as highlighted by this publication in recent weeks.
Our editor submitted the following query to the DAFM: “That’s Farming wishes to clarify, by means of a statement from the DAFM, does the five-year eligibility period (for National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme) for an eligible young farmer (Green Cert holder) begin when they are added as a herd keeper to a herd number? Or does this apply when they become a herd owner?”
“If they are a herd keeper before becoming a herd owner, will it impact funding they can draw down under the National Reserve and YFS?”
Herd keeper
In response to That’s Farming’s request for information, a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine outlined:
“For the purposes of determining the date of setting up an agricultural holding to establish the eligibility of a young farmer under the National Reserve or Young Farmers Scheme, the department considers the date on which the young farmer was registered as herd owner in his/her sole name or added to a herd number as joint herd owner, without reference to any previous role as herd keeper.”
As per the DAFM’s official definition, a keeper “means any natural person responsible for animals whether on a permanent or temporary basis”.
“In all cases, one individual only must be nominated in the role of the “keeper” of the animals and be responsible for the herd/flock.”
Other articles:
- How to obtain a herd number
- Drawing down Young Farmer Scheme payments
- Young Farmers Inspection: How to prepare and common non-compliance isuses
- Do not confuse the National Reserve and Young Farmers Scheme
- Work placement for Green Cert
- ‘Hold off on getting a herd number until you have your Green Cert’
