Joe Costello
Question:43 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will review the age restriction for farmers who wish to leave the land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25776/02]
Other Questions. - Farm Retirement Scheme.
I take it that the Deputy is referring to eligibility for the early retirement scheme for farmers. The regulation under which this scheme was introduced, Council Regulation (EC) No. 1257/1999, fixes the age limits for eligibility. The retiring farmer must be not less than 55 years of age and not older than the national retirement age, which in Ireland is 66 years. In drawing up the scheme, therefore, my Department was obliged to limit eligibility to farmers between the ages of 55 and 66.
I was particularly interested in the leasing of land and the options which might exist to encourage younger farmers to become involved. Perhaps the limiting age of 55 years could be removed or reduced. My point related to the encouragement of other people into farming or to at least allow for younger people to become involved.
I presumed the Deputy was referring to transferees and she will recall that the age limit in the old scheme was 50 years. That has been reduced under the new scheme to 45 years for the years 2000 and 2001. It is falling each year from 2001 until the age of 40 years is reached, which is expected to be in 2006. This will encourage younger people into farming. The purpose of the scheme is to encourage the transfer of land. We have made a formal request to the European Commission seeking to have commitments limited to the first five years of payment. This would mean the transferee would not have to farm as a main occupation or have enlarged the land after five years pension payment has elapsed. That is because of the change in the general practice in farming. Initial reaction to the proposal seems to be favourable, but we have not had formal confirmation of this.