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| 20 oct 2023 |
14:41 |
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Wider reflection on young farmers in the EU
Today, the European Parliament adopted its initiative report on generational renewal in agriculture. CEJA welcomes the report and its focus on the main obstacles faced by the younger generation, such as access to land, access to credit, education, and training.
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Young farmers will be closely monitoring the next steps that this report should trigger in all agri-food-related policies. It must serve as a basis for the upcoming strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture, the discussions on the CAP post-2027 and more generally for the European elections next June.
With only 11,5% of EU farmers being below the age of 40 and nearly half of those being between 35 and 39 years old, CEJA President Peter Meedendorp said: “The reality on the ground is just as alarming as the statistics. A report recognizing the present need for generational renewal is bound to win political consensus; it must also spur actions”. He added that “while success stories of young farmers installations are often those visible, let us not forget that many young people do not dare to start up, or simply fail because of inadequate conditions to sustainably invest in a farm, earn a decent income and have a life plan in more attractive rural areas”.
While addressing the challenges young farmers face, which have been stressed by CEJA for decades, the report also proposes pathways for action. Major difficulties emerge when it comes to access to land and credit, mostly due to lack of capital and collaterals. Hence, the need for dedicated financial instruments, a stronger position of farmers in the value chain as well as a broad reflection on land mobility in the EU. Moreover, recognising the multifaceted nature of farming underscores the importance of education, life-long training opportunities and cross-border innovation among Member States to foster young farmers’ skills to succeed in their farming project. Such a project not only being a profession but a way of life, improving living conditions in rural areas with proper infrastructure for health, education, mobility, and digitalisation is also part of the solution to the current decline in the number of EU farms.
The report calls upon the EU and Member States to support the participation of young farmers in decision making processes. They will be paying close attention to the concrete next steps, to make sure EU and national policies are putting the accurate means and instruments in front of the identified challenges. In this regard, CEJA calls upon the European Commission and the Council of the EU to formally reply to the European Parliament.
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