Macra na Feirme president Seán Finan, along with acting chief executive Derrie Dillon, met with Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and a number of department officials on Thursday.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Dillon said there were a number of main areas covered in the meeting.

On the matter of the availability of a National Reserve for 2016, he said there is still no decision.

“We are seeking a commitment from the Minister on the provision of a young farmer national reserve every year for the duration of the current CAP.

“There still is no decision at the moment, but we made our case for now and for a future reserve because we see it as essential and important to have one in place.”

EU regulations

On the ongoing issue of TAMS approvals and payments, Marca welcomed the start of approvals this week, which the Department has indicated was caused by insufficient IT infrastructure.

“The lack of approval and payments puts farmers in a very difficult situation,” according to Dillon.

At the meeting, Macra outlined its general election manifesto, along with its current programmes, including the Land Mobility Service, as well the Young Farmer Skillnets training programme.

The issue of forgotten farmers was also raised, along with the distinct group of 250 farmers who are in the partnership category, both of whom missed out on eligibility for the young farmer schemes because they did not have an activated herd number.

“This wasn’t in the spirit of CAP and they certainly have a justifiable case to have the opportunity to be classified as a young farmer,” according to Dillon.

The Department said any change comes in the context of all EU regulations for CAP. The department indicated to Macra that it will do what they can within the CAP legislation.

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