Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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86. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if exceptions will be made for inclusion on the old young farmers scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18015/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the EU Regulations governing the Young Farmers Scheme and the Young Farmer priority category of the National Reserve, a ‘young farmer’ is defined as:

- S/he is aged no more than 40 years of age in the year when s/he first submits an application under the Basic Payment Scheme;

- S/he is setting up an agricultural holding for the first time or has set up such a holding during the five years preceding the first submission of the Basic Payment Scheme application.

As these Regulations are applicable to all Member States, my Department has no discretion with regard to their implementation.

The ‘Old Young Farmer’ category under phase 2 of the National Reserve opened for applications on 1^stApril 2015. Eligible applicants under the ‘Old Young Farmer’ category must also meet the definition of young farmer with regard to age, off farm income and educational qualifications.

‘New Entrants’ to farming were catered for as a priority category under phase 1 of the National Reserve which opened for applications on 5^thJanuary 2015 and closed for receipt of applications on 31^stMarch 2015. This category of the National Reserve catered for farmers over the age of 40 years who had only been involved in active farming for 2 years previously. To be eligible under this category an applicant must have commenced agricultural activity in 2013 or later, not have had any agricultural activity in their own name and at their own risk in the five years preceding the current agricultural activity, as well as satisfying the criteria in respect of off farm income and educational qualifications.