An Irish MEP has warned that young farmers will be lost to the sector unless the EU makes farming more financially viable.

Midlands-North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly said that the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and long-term EU budget, known as the Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF), must address farm income, land access, finance and succession planning.

The Independent Ireland MEP told a meeting of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee that the figures on generational renewal in farming are "deeply concerning".

According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), just 4.5% of Irish farmers are under 35 years-of-age, with a third of them over 65.”

The latest data from the European Commission shows the average age of an EU farmer is 57, while only 12% are under 40.

Young farmers

Although he noted there are "some grounds for optimism" in Ireland, Mullooly said succession remains a major unresolved issue.

"Six out of 10 Irish farmers over 60 have identified a successor, while 40% haven't done so yet, which represents an opportunity I suppose for access to land in the future.

"But it is a difficult issue, but it's one that has to be tackled in the context of the new CAP and in the context of the MFF," he said.

Mullooly said any EU plan for generational renewal must deal with the "real practical barriers" facing young people who want to enter or remain in farming.

"There are four key issues here, access to land, access to finance, access to a life alongside farming, whether it's maternity leave or otherwise, and access to a succession plan or a pension," he said.

"Equally important is income continuity. Young farmers need predictable income in the early years, when costs are high and margins are tight," he added.

Rules

The MEP called for an urgent review of "overly restrictive rules attached to young farmer and new entrant supports".

"At present, minor errors or technical breaches can result in new entrants having to repay aid in full.

"That is disproportionate, especially in the first years of farming. There have been reports and recommendations, but not enough focus on making the system more flexible and proportionate.

"We need a framework that distinguishes between genuine abuse and honest mistakes.

"If we want young people to enter farming, the system must support them, not punish them for minor errors," he said.

CAP

Under the European Commission's proposals for the next CAP, covering 2028 to 2034, member states would be expected to ring-fence at least 6% of agricultural funding for generational renewal measures.

The proposals include a so-called "starter pack" which include investment support, and improved access to credit.

All member states would also be required to create a strategy focusing on young farmers, including tools for training and access to land