Commenting, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue said: “I am pleased that the first meeting of the Commission has now taken place, and I was delighted to meet with the members, each of whom are bringing valuable skills and knowledge to the group. I have thanked the Commission members for their commitment to this important task and wished them success in their work.
“We have many supports in place for young farmers; through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) the taxation system, access to finance, and in the range of educational and advisory supports from Teagasc. However, I have asked the Commission to consider whether these existing measures are effective in encouraging young people into farming or if they should be adjusted.
“I welcome that, with the publication of the final report of the Commissions Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture, that notes generational renewal as one of its key recommendations, there will be increased emphasis on the very important issue in the time ahead at European level. The current CAP also cites generational renewal as one of its nine key objectives and as the European Commission is expected to publish its proposals for a post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy during 2025, I believe that this is an appropriate time to consider this issue at a national level.”
The minister said that public and stakeholder consultations will be a central part of this process and he is asking anyone with an interest in this issue to engage with the consultation process when it is launched.
A full assessment of generational renewal in farming and a report on options being completed is expected to be completed before the end of quarter two in 2025.