Walsh pushes for 10% of CAP for young farmers post-2027
Stronger support for young farmers — from increased funding to easier access to land — is at the heart of a new European Parliament draft report launched today (Thursday, May 28).
The European Parliament’s draft report on Generational Renewal in Agriculture, which been published by MEP Maria Walsh, aims to offer a "blueprint" for the way ahead when it comes to the next generation of farmers.
According to the MEP the report spotlights the need for increased Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) specifically for young farmers but it also highlights issues that are currently seen as roadblocks.
The report identifies that young farmers require easier access to land and expansion of land mobility schemes and that there should be better access to finance and banking supports while providing more ambitious support for female farmers.
It also highlights the need for longer time frames for EU funding schemes to better match the investment horizon, and expansion of farm succession support across EU member states.
Maria Walsh will present the report in front of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee next Tuesday June 2.
The MEP, who is a full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, said today: “Let us be in no doubt that the Irish and European agricultural sectors are facing a generational crisis.
"In Ireland, the average age of a farmer is 58 years old while the number of farmers under the age of 35 has halved over the past 20 years".
According to the MEP over the last month she has worked on writing her draft report on Generational Renewal in Agriculture with the support of the Irish agricultural and academic sectors.
She said this included consultation with more than 20 Irish stakeholders, including all farm organisations, universities, Horizon funded projects, as well as EU representatives.
“My number one ambition is to ensure 10% of the post-2027 CAP budget is ringfenced for young farmers and generational renewal.
"Funding for the future of our agricultural sector cannot be optional - the policy is only as good as the paper it is written on unless it is mandatory. Ringfenced funding is a red line for me," Walsh added.
The MEP for Midlands–North-West said supporting women in farming is a "core priority of mine".
"In this report, I stress that generational renewal must address persistent gender inequalities in agriculture with targeted support for young female farmers needed.
"I also propose the creation of women-focused advisory and mentoring programmes as well as stronger representation for women in agricultural organisations and decision-making bodies," she added.
