Vol. 438 No. 7
51 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if the requirement of owning approximately 12.5 acres of land or a five year lease will prevent the vast majority of young farmers from taking over land under the early retirement scheme for farmers.
One of the principal aims of the early retirement scheme for farmers is to bring about structural improvement of farming by the enlargement of holdings on their transfer. In discussions with the European Commission, 12.5 acres was the minimum enlargement requirement which they would accept.
The ability to lease land offers flexibility to younger farmers in obtaining land on the one hand and also should facilitate the release of land for the scheme on the other.
As with any new scheme, the operation of the early retirement scheme will be kept under review.
