Latest news with #ChristopheHansen
Agriland
3 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Is there a way to make farming ‘more attractive' to the next generation?
One of the big questions that Europe is grappling with at the moment is how to make farming 'more attractive' to younger people. We have had the Vision for Agriculture and Food, from the European Commission, which it claims is 'an ambitious roadmap on the future of farming and food in Europe'. In it the commission promises to set out a generational renewal strategy in 2025, which will include 'recommendations on measures needed both at the EU and national/regional level to address the barriers to young and new people' entering farming. The commission also plans to present a proposal for the future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which will include measures to support young farmers. Earlier this month the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Hansen, hosted a youth policy dialogue with young farmers in Brussels – all participants were below 40 years old in line with the age limit to qualify as a young farmer. One of the key discussions was the current profile and make up of the farming population in Europe. Source: European Commission The dialogue focused on the needs, aspirations, and barriers faced by young people entering or remaining in the farming sector and the commissioner was keen to stress that he is listening to young farmers and taking on board their concerns. What's stopping young people from farming in the future? We asked. They answered—with bold ideas, real challenges & clear demands. From land to credit and skills, they're ready to lead The is listening. The next generation is at the table. Let's keep the momentum going. Christophe Hansen (@CHansenEU) May 7, 2025 Closer to home the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, has said that an independent commission report on generational renewal in farming here is set to be released before the end of next month. The commission, which was established last October, 2024, has according to Minister Heydon adopted an 'objective, evidence-based approach to examining all the complex factors involved'. Earlier this year the minister also awarded over €1.5 million for three new European Innovation Partnership (EIP) projects on the theme of generational renewal. These projects include: Farm Forward: Connecting Generations and Farming for the Future – which is a partnership between Ballyhoura Development; Teagasc; Dairygold; some farm organisations; and Cork and Limerick county councils, among others; Renewal in Agriculture through Intergenerational Support & Empowerment' (RAISE), – operated by the Sustainable Agriculture Advisory Council; the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS); Teagasc; Aurivo; and Dairygold, among others; Using Share Farming to Facilitate Generational Renewal – which is operated by the Land Mobility Service; Succession Ireland; Teagasc; Lakeland Dairies; and Macra, among others. But while discussions at home and further afield continue on the theme of generational renewal in farming a leading rural sociologist was in Ireland this week to share what he believes needs to be done to make agriculture 'more attractive'. Professor Frank Vanclay (centre) with Dr. Áine Macken-Walsh, Teagasc sociologist and Paul Maher, head of international relations and corporate strategy in Teagasc Source: Teagasc Professor Frank Vanclay from the University of Groningen shared a 'framework' which offers concrete guidance for designing CAP measures, extension services, and innovation programmes which he believes could reverse the trend of agricultural decline and 'youth disengagement' from farming. Speaking at Teagasc's Mellows Campus Prof. Vanclay said the framework revolves around four key principles including: Making farming attractive beyond economics ; Addressing structural disadvantages; Farmer-led innovation systems; Simplifying policy implementation. Farming and the next generation According to Prof. Vanclay getting young people into agriculture requires 'addressing emotional, cultural and identity' aspects of farming and not just economic incentives. 'Sustainability means staying on the farm', he said and policies should take on board the 'deep desire of farmers' to hand their farm over to their children – but at the same time there needs to be policies that appeal to women farmers and non-traditional farm workers. The leading rural sociologist also warned that complex and inflexible programmes reduce farmer trust and participation. He has called for 'simpler, context-sensitive programmes co-designed with farmers to enhance both legitimacy and effectiveness'. He also cautioned that while crucial discussions are underway in Ireland and across Europe to encourage younger people to go into farming and to stick with it, there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach to this issue. Instead Prof. Vanclay said 'differentiated support tailored to specific farming styles and local contexts' is crucial to attract the next generation of farmers whether this is in Ireland or other European countries.
Agriland
21-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Study: Climate change threatens to increase EU agri losses
The European Union (EU) agricultural sector faces losses of more than €28 billion a year, on average, as a result of adverse weather such as droughts. The EU can also do more to reduce such business risks, including by expanding farm insurance, according to a ground-breaking new study. The analysis, published jointly by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Commission, said that worsening climate change threatens to increase EU agricultural average annual losses as much as 66% by 2050. The study urges a stronger EU risk-management system for the sector. Agri losses Only 20% to 30% of climate-induced farm losses in the EU are insured through public, private or mutual systems, including those supported by Europe's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), according to the study. Insurance coverage backed by public funding is often more effective than government compensation programmes, the study stated. EIB vice-president Gelsomina Vigliotti said:'Climate-related risks are an increasing source of uncertainty for food production. Mitigating these risks through insurance and de-risking mechanisms is essential to support the investments of European farmers. 'The findings of this analysis will guide our future action as we step up support to bolster the resilience of the EU's agricultural system.' The EIB Group has said that to date, it has supported the EU farm industry in three main ways. One is loans and guarantees to agricultural businesses or equity stakes in them. The second is the financing of rural infrastructure such as irrigation and roads. The third is advice to public authorities and financial institutions on how EU farm grants can be used to attract funding from other sources and to limit risk of losses included those related to climate. Commissioner for agriculture and food, Christophe Hansen, said: 'Climate change and its consequences could restrict farmers' access to finance, as banks could become even more reluctant to take risks than they are today. 'The study we are publishing with the EIB shows that only 20% to 30% of climate-related losses are insured by public, private or mutual systems. We need to do something to cover the remaining losses. 'I encourage all member states to assess and launch new financial instruments under their CAP Strategic Plans, to better prevent climate risks in the agricultural sector.' Study The new study is the first-of-its-kind analysis of agriculture-insurance schemes across the EU. It was commissioned by the commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and carried out by EIB Advisory, under the fi-compass platform, with the support of the global insurance intermediary group Howden. Publication of the report coincides with an EIB-Commission conference in Brussels on Insurance and access to finance for farm resilience and adaptation in the EU. Across the bloc, climate-induced losses for the agricultural sector average €28.3 billion a year, according to the study. That's around 6% of annual EU crop and livestock production. Global warming threatens to cause greater volatility in EU agricultural yields and more instability in European farm incomes, with projected losses rising between 42% and 66% by mid-century, according to the report. It examines the broad impact of weather on agriculture and explores options for expanding farm insurance in Europe and for encouraging the sector to reduce risks through climate adaptation. Main recommendations in the report include: To limit economic shocks for farmers, the EU should pursue risk-transfer measures including catastrophe bonds and public-private reinsurance arrangements; The EU should provide rapid-response funding when disasters occur; The sector as a whole should take more adaptation steps because, even with improved insurance coverage, they are critical for countering future climate risks.
Reuters
20-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Extreme weather costs EU farmers 28 billion euros a year, EU says
BRUSSELS, May 20 (Reuters) - The European Union's agriculture sector loses an average of 28.3 billion euros ($31.9 billion) each year from extreme weather made worse by climate change, EU-backed analysis published on Tuesday showed. Most of these losses - which are equivalent to 6% of annual EU crop and livestock production - are not insured. Just 20-30% of farmers' climate-linked losses were covered by public, private or mutual insurance systems, said the report, backed by the European Commission and European Investment Bank, and produced by insurance broker Howden. "We need to do something to cover the remaining losses," EU agriculture commissioner Christophe Hansen said. He urged countries to use their EU farming subsidies to address climate risks. Europe's farming industry is both hit hard by climate change impacts like drought and extreme rainfall, and itself putting intense pressure on the environment - through planet-heating methane emissions, pollution from fertilisers and industrial-scale use of water. At the same time, influential agriculture lobby groups have taken aim at Europe's green agenda, staging months of protests last year seeking a weakening of environmental policies. The European Commission announced plans last week to soften some environmental conditions on EU farming subsidies, while also proposing rules to speed up emergency funding for farmers hit by natural disasters. Farmers' average crop losses are expected to increase by up to 66% by 2050 without stronger action to address climate change, the analysis said. Currently, drought causes more than half of total agricultural losses. With southern Europe hit particularly hard by drought, the analysis said that by 2050, in a "catastrophic" year, annual losses in Spain and Italy alone could hit 20 billion euros. The European Investment Bank, the EU's lending arm, said the analysis would guide its efforts to support farmers, which include financing investments like irrigation, and providing loans and guarantees. The EIB also plans to increase its spending on water projects - a move that could benefit farmers - according to a leaked draft, opens new tab of a European Commission water strategy, reported by Reuters last week. An EIB spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this funding. ($1 = 0.8877 euros)
Euronews
16-05-2025
- Business
- Euronews
Commissioner Hansen presents plan to cut farming bureaucracy in EU
European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen presented his simplification plan for the agricultural sector during a meeting organised by Euronews. The European Commission unveiled the plan, which aims to simplify the European Union's agricultural rulebook, on Wednesday in Brussels. The measures are designed to reduce what the Commission sees as unnecessary administrative burdens in implementing the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), the EU's farming subsidy framework. Hansen believes the proposed strategy should serve all stakeholders. The plan, therefore, aims to reduce the administrative burden for farmers and member states. "What is felt to be an administrative burden on the farm is not only the CAP (Common Agricultural Policy), but also environmental legislation, health legislation, and often national or regional legislation, so I think that everyone must contribute to reducing this bureaucracy," Hansen explained. This simplification plan could potentially save farmers up to €1.58 billion a year and the national authorities €210 million. The package of measures is aimed in particular at organic farming and small farms, which play an essential role in rural areas' economic activity. The plan proposes exemptions from environmental rules, also known as conditionalities. Hansen points out that this package aims not to reform the sector, but to adjust certain rules. For example, Hansen said, "If grassland remains in place for more than five years, it becomes permanent grassland. This is a devaluation of this farmland because it can no longer be used as arable land. After four years or so, farmers plough to preserve this status." "For me, it's more valuable if the grass stays for seven years rather than five. So this is environmental progress. It's the applicability (of the rules) that changes," he added. The European Commission also wants to help small farmers obtain financial aid and make their farms more competitive. The institution is considering an offer of up to €50,000. Hansensuggested digitalising the sector, mentioning, for example, a digital portfolio to facilitate checks. "I, as a farm, have my digital wallet and if the water authority needs to know something about my land, they can turn to that wallet," Hansen explained. Hansen further reiterated his desire to make the profession attractive again and to help professionals. "It's very important that we reduce the stress on our farmers, because at the moment it all depends on the Member State. They have to deal with five, six, seven controls a year, which causes enormous stress for our farmers," Hansen insisted. "That's why we also want to reduce these controls, and the member states are also obliged to act. We want to reduce the number of checks to just one a year," he added. Environmental NGOs believe that the plan threatens the agricultural sector's green objectives. Hansen, however, rejects this criticism and emphasises that he is responding to the concerns of farmers, who have repeatedly protested against overly restrictive European regulations. Yet, this simplification plan is only the first step. The European Commission intends to present new measures later this year.
Observer
15-05-2025
- Business
- Observer
EU proposes curbing more green rules on farming subsidies
BRUSSELS: The European Commission proposed weakening more of the environmental conditions tied to the EU's huge farming subsidy programme on Wednesday, as part of plans to cut back regulations and paperwork for farmers. Farmers across Europe wielded their political clout last year during months of protests over issues including strict EU regulations and cheap imports. In response, the EU diluted some green conditions attached to farming subsidies. The Commission announced plans on Wednesday to go further, in proposals it said could save farmers up to 1.58 billion euros per year, and limit on-site checks on farms to once per year. The EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of farming subsidies is worth around 387 billion euros, around a third of the bloc's total 2021-2027 budget. Smaller farmers would be exempted from baseline requirements tying their subsidies to efforts to protect the environment, and the EU would double, to 2,500 euros, the limit on annual lump-sum payments they can receive. "The Commission is on farmers' side, and we are doing our best to cut the bureaucracy so they can focus on what they do best; producing food for all of us while protecting our natural resources," EU agriculture commissioner Christophe Hansen said. Other changes would let farms remove 10 per cent, rather than 5 per cent, of permanent grasslands, which the EU has encouraged farmers to preserve, to store CO2 in the soil. Farmers will also be able to receive more subsidies for existing obligations to preserve peatlands and wetlands. Campaigners said the changes would make farmers more vulnerable to climate change, since water-storing ecosystems like wetlands help manage floods and droughts. "Instead of helping farmers protect these vital ecosystems, the Commission is handing out a blank cheque to destroy them," said Marilda Dhaskali, policy officer at campaign group Birdlife. The proposal would also let countries disburse more funding quickly in response to natural disasters, which climate change is worsening. These are part of a series of EU "simplification omnibus" proposals, designed to slim down policies and paperwork for businesses struggling to compete with China and the US, where President Donald Trump is aggressively cutting regulation. — Reuters
