One topic that I am hearing more and more off here is “generational renewal.” It’s the fancy title for, “where is the next generation of farmers going to come from?” The age profile of farmers in Ireland is mirrored across Europe. Only 12% of farmers in the EU are under the age of 40. In Ireland 7% of farmers are under the age of 35.

EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christoph Hansen is determined to tackle the issue head on announcing a “generational renewal strategy” details of which will be revealed in early autumn.

From his appointment as the EUs farm chief before Christmas, he has talked a lot of the problem and made it one of his priorities in the Vision for the future of Agriculture. Speaking to EU farm ministers in Warsaw last month, Hansen said “Young farmers are essential for the future of European agriculture, without them, our food security & the future of many rural communities could be at risk. When I chaired an event in Brussels recently mark the 30^th anniversary of Sweden, Finland and Austria joining the EU, generational renewal was one of the discussion topics. And when pushed on reasons why younger people are not taking on the family farm, the biggest was income! It all boils down to money. There are other reasons too such as more competition in other more attractive sectors but guaranteeing a reasonable income is what is threatening the future of farming.

In the face of climate breakdown, how bankable is livestock farming? Hansen told the ministers that the European Investment Bank has committed €3bn to finance the agriculture sector, paying particular attention to young farmers. Is that enough?

While the long working day, volatile incomes, isolation and red tape & bureaucracy are hurdles to attracting young people into farming, the IFA President Francie Gorman made a good observation at a meeting of COPA and COGECA presidents recently in Brussels when he said that farm leaders and organisations need to rethink their messaging also in terms of not being overly negative about the sector whilst highlighting issues. “Farming is a fantastic business to work in”, he said. He repeated this at last months AGM of Agriaware in County Kildare. And it is an excellent point.

But it can be difficult at times to stay positive. This month will be pivotal for the future of the Common Agricultural Policy with the announcement on July 16 of EU multiannual financial framework (MFF) where it’s feared a new look budget will be unveiled where all EU funding including CAP will go into a single fund. If that happens, it is difficult to reconcile Commissioner Hansens Vision for the future of agriculture with the idea that the CAP would be effectively dismantled and the two Pillar system abolished. What message would that send out to young farmers?

Note: Letter from Brussels is published in the Irish Farmers Monthly magazine