Macra sets out stance on CAP payments for pensioner farmers
Responding to a query from Agriland on Macra's stance on support payments to farmers in receipt of a pension, Macra national president Josephine O'Neill outlined the rural youth organisation's position.
She said: "We need to examine this in the context of creating opportunities to facilitate generational renewal and collaborative arrangements between younger and older farmers plus the reality of a reduced Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget.
Last month, the European Commission presented its Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) - the EU's long-term budget - which proposed to end farm support payments for farmers once they reach pension age.
The Macra leader told Agriland that the rural youth organisation previously proposed a mechanism to the EU Commission for this current CAP programme (2023-2027), which aimed "to encourage succession planning among older farmers".
The Macra proposal involves a farm-succession model, which aims to accommodate the needs of older farmers and improve access to land for young farmers.
The key aspects of Macra's CAP policy proposal to improve generational renewal include:
Once a farmer reaches the age of 63, it becomes mandatory to complete a farm succession plan;
At the age of 65, farmers avail of a transition payment up to the age of 70;
A farmer that wishes to continue to receive CAP supports beyond the age of 70 would need to get involved in a collaborative arrangement.
The Macra president said: "The proposal includes upon reaching 63, it becomes mandatory for all farmers to complete a farm succession plan.
"From the age of 65-70, farmers will receive a transition payment in order to both facilitate and support their exit from the industry.
"For farmers that wish to continue to receive a CAP payment beyond the age of 70, such a farmer would need to get involved in a collaborative arrangement."
The Macra president has told Agriland that Macra will be further discussing the recent EU Commission CAP proposals and examining the range of potential tools available from the Commission to tackle generational renewal.
"All options need to be seriously examined so that we can address the lack of young people entering farming," O'Neill said.
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