Ireland has announced the allocation of €12.5 billion in Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Exchequer funds to the country’s agricultural sector over the period to 2020. As part of the CAP’s €12.5 billion investment in the country’s agriculture, an agreement has been reached to draft a new Rural Development Program (RDP). Of the €12.5 billion, €8.5 billion in EU funding will be paid in direct payments to farmers over the period to 2020 and €1.9 billion in National funding is being added to the €2.2 billion EU funding already secured to invest in rural development. Under the program young farmers will be given priority. Payments will be made to farmers under 40 years of age with up to 50 hectares – worth more than €16,000 over the five year period.. Young farmers will also be prioritized in the allocation of payments from the national reserve. Under the RDP there will be a special strand of support for farm capital investment for young farmers at a higher rate of aid intensity of 60%. To read further how the new Rural Development Program will benefit the beef, dairy, sheep, pig and poultry, Artisan food/SME’s, and island communities:
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