A decision on whether there will be a National Reserve for 2017 is imminent, the Irish Farmers Journal understands.

A meeting of stakeholders is set to take place next week. Department of Agriculture officials and farm organisations on the direct payments advisory committee will discuss creating a fund from unused funds in the Young Farmers Scheme.

There was no National Reserve in 2016 as all available funding had been utilised under the 2015 scheme. Macra na Feirme is calling for unused funds in the young farmer top-up to be recouped instead of a linear cut to all farmers’ Basic Payments.

“Funding allocated to young farmer schemes should remain with young farmers,” Macra president Seán Finan said.

The National Reserve can also be funded by surrender of entitlements and clawbacks, but limited funds are recouped from that.

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Consultation on 2017 national reserve to take place in coming weeks