EU Commissioner – Kilkenny’s Phil Hogan – announces plans to help young farmers

IRELAND’S EU Commissioner – the former Kilkenny TD Phil Hogan – has signalled a range of new initiatives to benefit young farmers.

Speaking to members of the EU young farmers group CEJA, the Kilkenny man said he is looking at introducing lump sum payments for older farmers who permanently transfer their holding to young farmers.

The EU Agriculture Commissioner said CAP payments would be restructured to allow for “generational renewal” to improve the age profile of farmers.

Commissioner Hogan said reserves for payment entitlements will be used, as a matter of priority, for young farmers.

And he announced there will also be a rise in the maximum amount of available aid to young farmers and rural business start-ups, with financial packages of up to €100,000.