On the 23 November members of the COMAGRI discussed the result of the study, “Young Farmers - Policy implementation after the 2013 CAP reform”, which provides information about the implementation of the current CAP’s young farmer mechanism.
Ms Bouwers highlighted the need for there to be a mandatory link between access to land and the definition of active farmer, better knowledge transfer between age groups working in agriculture, and that “generational renewal should be a cornerstone of the future CAP”.
Further points Ms Bouwers spoke about concerning CEJA’s position on the future CAP included:
- a state aid exemption for land acquisition for young farmers in order to increase their numbers across the EU;
- the modernisation of the decoupled payment system so that direct payments are not only linked to land; and
- ensuring a connected countryside in which people can develop farms and support their families.
“It’s really important for young farmers to have a strong definition of active farmer, to have land mobility schemes available and to have access to investment aid,” Ms Bouwers said after the hearing.
Her full speech is available here.
