UFU Deputy President William Irvine on his County Armagh farm. Picture: Cliff Donaldson
The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has strongly criticised DAERA for leaving Northern Ireland with no dedicated support for young farmers in 2026, describing the situation as an incredible failure of policy planning at a time when generational renewal is being actively promoted by government.
With the Farming for the Generations Pilot Scheme running only until March 2026, and the Young Farmers Payment (YFP) and Regional Reserve ending after the 2025 scheme year, the UFU says there will be no meaningful support in place for young farmers this year, a new full Farming for the Generations scheme is not expected to be operational until 2027.
UFU president, William Irvine, said, “It is simply unacceptable that we are starting 2026 with nothing in place for young farmers. At a time when everyone is talking about generational renewal. We warned DAERA this would happen. We raised serious concerns about the pilot. Unfortunately, those warnings have not been acted upon.”
The UFU is calling on DAERA to urgently extend the Young Farmers Payment and Regional Reserve into the 2026 scheme year as an interim measure, until a new Farming for the Generations scheme is fully designed, funded and fit for purpose.
“The solution is straightforward,” Mr Irvine said. “Carry over the Young Farmers Payment and the Regional Reserve into 2026. That would provide continuity, certainty and a clear signal that government is serious about supporting young people into farming.”
The UFU has also expressed deep frustration at the number of young farmer and Regional Reserve appeals currently stuck in the system, leaving farm businesses in financial and legal limbo.
“We also have young farmers and family businesses who are stuck waiting on appeals with no clarity,” Mr Irvine said. “That is not just stressful it affects cashflow, business planning and confidence in the entire support system. These cases must be dealt with as a matter of urgency.”
The UFU is currently in discussions with DAERA on the future Farming for the Generations scheme and supports the objective of generational renewal. However, the Union is warning that the emerging policy direction risks being too focused on professional services and legal restructuring, and not enough on direct financial support and real-world family farm structures.
“Succession is a process, not a single legal event,” said Mr Irvine. “Many farms operate with multiple generations actively working together, even if ownership hasn’t formally transferred for very valid tax, pension or certainty reasons. Support must reflect how farms actually function, not force families into artificial structures just to satisfy scheme rules.”
The UFU is calling on DAERA to take immediate steps to avoid a damaging policy gap and to restore confidence among young farmers.
“Farm profitability and business confidence are the foundations of generational renewal,” Mr Irvine concluded. “Without practical, timely and well-designed support, no amount of strategy documents or pilot schemes will persuade young people that farming has a future in Northern Ireland.”
