Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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456. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a formal application has been made to the European Commission for forgotten farmers as a group with specific disadvantage under the national reserve in the same way that old young farmers are currently provided for. [14920/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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In line with the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government, Department officials consulted with the EU Commission with regard to funding of ‘specific disadvantage’ categories such as the group commonly referred to as ‘Forgotten Farmers’ under the National Reserve in 2017 and future years. Funding for the National Reserve in 2017 is derived from a linear cut to the value of farmers entitlements.

The Commission has confirmed that Member States cannot use the proceeds of a linear cut to fund the specific disadvantage category of the National Reserve.  The only funding option for this category is natural replenishment of the Reserve such as unused entitlements or the proceeds of claw back, but only after the two priority categories of young farmer and new entrant have been catered for.

The group commonly referred to as ‘Old Young Farmers’ was accommodated under the 2015 National Reserve on a once-off basis as a group suffering from specific disadvantage.  The 2015 National Reserve was funded based on a 3% cut to the Basic Payment Scheme financial ceiling and not a linear cut to farmers entitlements.