By Colm McSherry

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has this week announced his intention to establish an expert advisory body on generational renewal in farming in preparation for a new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The Minister’s move comes at a time when the number of young farmers entering the agricultural sector is persistently low – only 12% of all European farmers are under 40 years of age, of which female young farmers represent just 3%.

Speaking at the Tullamore Show in Co. Offaly last weekend, the Minister stressed that “encouraging young people into agriculture is a global challenge’ and said that he is “committed to developing a vibrant and sustainable farm sector in Ireland” and that “young people and new entrants are central to that endeavour”.

Generational renewal is a priority objective of the 2023–2027 CAP, which aims to increase the profession’s attractiveness to new generations and help farms be passed on to younger farmers, men and women.

“This is an appropriate time to consider whether the framework currently in place provides support to young farmers thinking of entering the sector and effectively encourages generational renewal,” he said, adding that he expects the European Commission to publish its proposals for post-2027 CAP initiatives in mid-2025.

“I intend to establish a group with the relevant expertise and experience to take an objective and robust evidence-based look at all of the factors in play to ensure that we have a well-researched basis for us to make optimal use of the policy tools available to encourage young people, who are the lifeblood of farming, into the sector,” said Minister McConalogue.

According to CAP research,  for each farmer younger than 35, there are over five farmers older than 65 in Europe.

“We must ensure that we take the time now to properly prepare, with all of the necessary analysis and intelligence to ensure that the policy framework is as effective as it can be,” he said.

Minister McConalogue said that the Government has already implemented an unprecedented range of support for young farmers, including support for farm partnerships, Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers, higher rates of grants for capital investment on farms, increased access to finance, and significant tax reliefs.