Latest news with #VisionforAgricultureandFood
Agriland
5 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
26-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
CAP must remain ‘a core EU priority'
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has said that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must remain a core priority for the European Union. The minister made the comments ahead of a meeting the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) today (Monday, May 26). The European Commission recently published a large package of measures designed to 'simplify the CAP and boost EU farmers' competitiveness'. However, a proposal understood to involve a radical overhaul of the EU budget has caused major concerns among farm organisations leading to protests in Ireland and Europe. CAP Minister Heydon said that the CAP is essential to a sustainable future for the agri-food sector. 'Stability and certainty should be a key focus in our consideration for the next CAP post-2027. We need to focus on keeping the full CAP toolbox available to support our farmers. 'That requires a dedicated and robust CAP Budget, with the full set of options under Pillar 1 and Pillar 2,' he said. The minister said he wants to work closely with EU Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen and his EU counterparts 'to ensure the importance of the CAP is well understood during the negotiations on the next EU Budget'. 'Equally, I will be making the point that we need a dedicated and sufficient budget line to support the seafood sector. 'The Commission's Vision for Agriculture and Food provides us with a strategic framework to plan for the sustainable development of the European agri-food sector, and a positive future for our farmers. 'I particularly welcome that the vision acknowledges the importance of the family farm model and the need to support its long-term viability. The design of the next CAP is of fundamental importance to delivering on that objective,' the minister added. The AGRIFISH Council will also hold a discussion today on the markets situation, including participation by Vitaliy Koval, the Ukrainian Minister for Agrarian Policy and Food. 'I look forward to hearing from Minister Koval and I will reaffirm Ireland's full solidarity with Ukraine and reaffirm our respect and admiration for the people of Ukraine after three years of terrible war,' Minster Heydon said. 'I also look forward to discussing how the administrative burden arising from the EU Deforestation Regulation can be reduced, and to holding bilateral meetings with my Austrian and Latvian counterparts,' he added.
Agriland
08-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
‘No sustainability without profitability'
The Spanish Minister for Agriculture, Luis Planas has told the EU Commission that 'there is no sustainability without profitability for farmers'. Speaking at the commission's conference on the Vision for Agriculture and Food in Brussels this morning (May 8), the Spaniard explained, to heavy applause, how important profitability is for farmers. He said: 'I think that the vision has two basic meanings. The first is the fact that it provides a holistic view, on the challenges for the next future. 'The second one is that it has a dynamic view, looking to the future and looking at the challenges. 'I want just to add something, my first comment is very simple: We need profitability.' The minister praised the EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Hansen, on the vision, and said that it is 'easier' and more business-orientated. 'I have to say too, that we have to keep our ambition from the overall point of view, that one or the other are not in contradiction,' Planas said. 'We can have a profitable farms, and we have to have sustainable farms for the future,' he added. Profitability According to Minister Planas, farming has 'no future' without generational renewal in the sector. Prior to the Spanish agriculture minister's address, Commissioner Hansen had told the conference that the EU has lost more than 3 million farms, and that there are 9 million farms remaining. Minister Planas told the conference that the challenge of generational renewal is directly linked to the challenge of innovation. The minister said: 'We need to review, that the future is linked with innovation. New things, for example artificial intelligence, it's here in the farming sector and we are one of the pioneers in artificial intelligence, perhaps even sometimes we don't know it. 'I think that it is good that this link between conservation, and generational renewal, and innovation is there. 'The vision is not perfect, but the vision has also some good points,' the Spanish agriculture minister added.
Agriland
08-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
‘Necessary to implement rural proofing into all EU policies'
The vice-chair of Rural Youth Europe, Martin Sieman, has called for the EU to implement 'rural proofing' practices into all of its policies. Speaking on a panel about generational renewal at the commission's conference on the Vision for Agriculture and Food in Brussels this morning (May 8), Sieman said that 'conflicting regulations' are contributing to the lack of availability of land. He said: 'In many regions in Europe we have challenging natural conditions, together we called to implement some kind of a regulatory body. 'Another very interconnected problem, is the land concentration. We see with the sector-based subsidies that the incentive is for land concentration.' 'When it comes to access to finance, we've discussed a lot more targeted supports, especially for new entrants to the sector,' he added. Rural Youth Europe is a European non-governmental organisation (NGO) that tries to create opportunities for young people in rural areas, and advocates for keeping rural areas as vibrant sustainable places to live. According to Siemen, farms 'don't exist in a vacuum', adding that farms are part of a 'larger ecosystem'. He said: 'We need strong rural areas. If there are no young people in rural areas, then there is also no possibility for generational renewal. We need diverse job opportunities, outside of the farming sector, because we need a bigger community that's not just farming. 'We need infrastructure, basic services and also cultural opportunities, so that the youth in rural areas can feel a sense of belonging.' 'We see all over (the EU) that housing is a big problem. Young people know at some point they want to move out from their parents' place because also not everyone can take over the farm. In the villages, often there is less possibilities to rent because prices are rising in rural areas,' he added. EU The president of the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA), Peter Meedendorp, told the panel that long-term liquidity planning for farms is becoming increasingly more difficult. He said: 'We have to continue working in this mandate make the vision a reality. That starts with the structure of the next European budget. We need to keep a harmonised and dedicated structure in order to create the structural pillar for our farms. 'There are trade-offs between the different ambitions, and there are inconsistencies between the different ambitions and we need to talk about those,' Meedendorp added.
Agriland
08-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Hansen: ‘I intend to keep direct payments for farmers'
The European Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Hansen has said he intends to keep direct income support, and direct payments as the main tool supporting the farming community. Speaking at the commission's conference on the Vision for Agriculture and Food in Brussels this morning (May 8), Commissioner Hansen outlined that he doesn't want to 'fix what's not broken,' and that the EU's policies do not need a 'revolution'. Prior to the commissioner's address, participants at the conference had expressed concerns that the vision was too 'vague'. Participants give their views on the new Vision for Agriculture and Food Commissioner Hansen said: 'I've seen some have said that it is too vague, the vision is a starting point, it's the pathway for future actions that we have to shape together. 'There needs to be room as well for your input, I can say that the vision has been well received so far in the member states and in the discussion with the different stakeholders and we have already started to deliver on the initiatives announced, there is a lot more to do.' According to Commissioner Hansen, the goal of the vision is for farmers across the EU to feel the benefits of the vision's projects. 'I heard once that the farmer has to be an optimist or he would not be a farmer, but still more than optimism, we need pragmatism and realism in our policy-making,' Hansen said. The commissioner also claims that over the last 10 years, the EU has lost more than 3 million farms, and that there are 9 million farms remaining. He said: 'I think it is our common duty to create the opportunities and the environment so that these 9 million farms can remain and can thrive. 'If we do not act to secure farming for future generations, we will lose even more of those farms, and that would also threaten the EU's strategic autonomy in food production,' he added. Commissioner Hansen The commissioner also addressed concerns about generational renewal within the European Union. He claims that the EU will work on improving support for young farmers to start their farming operations, but that young farmers need some 'other basics' to assist them to go into farming. He said: 'Young farmers need access to knowledge, access to credit and land and also to rural services. This is something very important to rural areas and as well to rural development remain very important. 'I met with a young dairy farmer from Finland, and she said to me, 'I have to decide, either kids or cows'. That is something need to think very strongly (about) as well,' he added.
