The CAP 2023 schemes have been announced. Serena Gibbons, Education Officer, Teagasc Galway/Clare, explains why we all now need to familiarise ourselves with the new titles, acronyms and terms and conditions of the new schemes.
There is a lot to examine in the CAP 2023-2027 schemes and doing some homework now on how you can maximise your applications for these schemes will benefit in the long run.
Young farmers will benefit from the new CAP. It is important to take time to examine the changes in these new schemes to ensure you make the best decision to suit your circumstances.
The Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CIS-YF) will replace the Young Farmers Scheme (YFS). The scheme will provide of total of €178 million to young farmers from 2023 to 2027. The CIS-YF will offer an improved payment rate over the YFS of approximately €175/ha on up to a maximum of 50ha. This will be available to applicants for up to five years from the date of their application. The CIS-YF is also available to young farmers who are mid way through the five years of YFS scheme. It is possible to transfer to the CIS-YF scheme to avail of an increased payment for the balance of their five year contract. Current participants in the YFS who wish to change over to the CIS-YF must indicate their intent to apply for the new CIS-YF scheme on the 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) online application. A thumbs up icon will indicate an application for the new scheme.
To be eligible for the CIS-YF scheme, young farmers must:
Be under the age of 40 (not reaching his/her 41st birthday in the calendar year of the initial application);
Have commenced farming within the five years preceding the first application (e.g. a young farmer who applied for a herd number and is registered with DAFM since 2017 is not eligible to apply for the CIS-YF, as they have been farming for more than five years);
Completed their agricultural education. The Green cert is the most recognised agricultural education. However, a full list of course equivalent to the green cert are listed in the terms and conditions of the CIS-YF scheme on the DAFM website. Courses such as the Level 6 Advanced Certificates in Horticulture, Forestry and Equine will all qualify as acceptable agricultural education for young farmers;
Submit a valid 2023 BISS application under a herd number on which the applicant is included, hold at least one payment entitlement or part thereof and be entitled to payment under BISS;
Closing date for the CIS-YF is May 29th 2023.
Young trained farmers will also be eligible for the National Reserve, where they will be eligible to apply for entitlements on land that previously had no entitlements established. It is expected that the National Reserve entitlements will be worth in the region of €155 per entitlement up to a max of 36ha. The full terms and conditions of the National Reserve 2023 are yet to be announced, but it is looking like the off-farm income limit is likely to be gone and will therefore make the National Reserve an option for a higher number of young farmers. It is important to note that existing entitlements on land cannot be sold or leased to allow a young farmer to apply for entitlements from the National Reserve.
TAMS 3 has officially opened. A 60% grant rate will be available to young, trained farmers up to a €90,000 ceiling. Items such as, farm roadways, solar panels, solar powered electric fences, solar powered water pumps and back-up generators are all now included in TAMS 3. Eligibilty for young farmers is similar to CIS-YF with the 40 year old age limit and agricultural education being the main criteria. It is anticipated that the first tranche of TAMS 3 will close on June 16th 2023.
Green Cert courses continue around the country. Courses are available in both the Teagasc Regional Education Centres and Agricultural Colleges. Students who have a previous qualification in a non-ag area at a level 6 or higher can avail of the Distance Green Cert Course. Students who do not have any previous qualifications can opt for the part time courses delivered at the Regional Education Centres. The part-time course is delivered over an 18 month period.
Source: EMM/ The Agriculture and Food Development Authority