Name & address with Editor

DEAR SIR:

I am writing to express my disappointment with the young farmer aspect of TAMS II. I, like so many others this year, have jumped through all the hoops.

To cut a long story short, our farm has lost out big-time on CAP money over the years between ill-health and plain bad luck. When TAMS II was announced, I had reached an oasis in the desert, or so I thought.

Alas, joint herd-numbers are ineligible for the higher rate of grant. This is a total nonsense of the highest order. I have “full and effective decision-making power” as the legal document signed during the set-up declared. The farm is mine in all but title deed (and will be in totality in due course). In terms of running the farm, I call the shots and I duck the (many) bullets. It is my problem whether it sinks or swims.

Therefore my questions are: Am I a young farmer or not? Exactly why am I not entitled to the full grant along with the other young farmers? Is the minister as fond of the ‘family farm’ as is so often proclaimed, and if so how was this ridiculous anomaly allowed to arise at a time when young farmers were never more needed? Surely the Department can distinguish a genuine “young farmer” from a chancer – can they not find the long shadow of a tree or hedge early on a sunny morning when mapping?

Companies are welcome to apply for TAMS, but family farms are not, well done minister. We have marriage equality, what about a little farming equality?