Nine in ten farmers could reach retirement age within 25 years, AgRenew Ireland Summit hears. ICOS calls for practical action on farm succession as 200 delegates gather to address the future of farming and Ireland’s agrifood sector

More than nine in ten European farmers could reach retirement age within the next 25 years, posing a fundamental challenge to the future of European food production and security, EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen said today.

Addressing more than 200 delegates at the AgRenew Ireland Summit in Naas, Co. Kildare today, by video from Brussels, Commissioner Hansen acknowledged that the scale of the challenge demands urgent action to bring younger people into farming and ensure that viable farms can successfully pass from one generation to the next.

The summit opening address was provided by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD (summary details below and full speech attached along with this email).

The summit, themed “New Blood, Stronger Farming”, is organised by the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), in association with the Golden Jubilee Trust and the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It brings together young farmers, co-operative leaders, policymakers, agricultural organisations and researchers to identify practical solutions to generational renewal in agriculture.

Commissioner Hansen said the EU’s first strategy for generational renewal in agriculture is already being translated into action, including measures to improve access to finance through the European Investment Bank, a new Women in Farming platform and a pilot EU land observatory.

He emphasised the importance of co-operatives in supporting young farmers through access to finance, land, advice, mentorship and international markets. “The future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must support the entire process of generational renewal, combining financial assistance and access to land with advisory services, training, knowledge exchange and farm relief services to help young farmers establish and sustain successful farming businesses.”

ICOS President Edward Carr said the consequences of failing to address generational renewal would extend far beyond individual farms, threatening the future of Ireland’s co-operatives, rural communities and its €19 billion food and drink export industry.

“Generational renewal is not simply a family matter. It is an economic issue of national importance. We have over 130,000 farms in Ireland, but only around 4% of farmers are under 35, while more than a third are over 65. These figures tell their own story.

“Our co-operatives depend on a strong, viable farming membership, just as farmers depend on successful co-operatives to process and market their produce, provide essential services and compete internationally. The success of our farms and co-operatives goes hand in hand.

“Last year, Irish food, drink and horticulture exports reached a record €19 billion, including €7.3 billion in dairy exports and more than €3.4 billion in beef. We must protect that success and the enormous investment made by farmers and co-operatives over generations.”

Edward Carr called for greater support for farm partnerships, long-term leasing, shared farming and early succession planning, alongside measures to improve access to finance, rural housing and retirement security for older farmers.

“Successful succession must give the older generation security, the younger generation opportunity and the farm business a viable future. We know the challenges. What we need now are workable solutions and the commitment to put them into practice.”

“This year is the UN International Year of the woman farmer. We must encourage more young women into farming and leadership roles in farming organisations and co-operatives. There is a great deal of talent and ability out there, and we must ensure that farming and leadership opportunities are available to everybody.”

He also stressed the importance of protecting a dedicated and properly funded CAP budget, warning against proposals that could undermine the future of European farming and food security.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD outlined measures to accelerate farm succession and improve financial supports for younger farmers, including changes introduced in Budget 2027.

The Minister said that despite existing generational renewal supports estimated at more than €420 million, the age profile of Irish farmers was not improving significantly, underlining the need for new approaches.

He confirmed that the three-year waiting period before farm assets can be transferred under Succession Farm Partnerships will be removed. For partnerships registered from 1 January 2027, the annual tax credit will double from €5,000 to €10,000, increasing the potential five-year benefit from €25,000 to €50,000.

The Minister also highlighted the €500 million expansion of the Government-backed Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme, extended to 2029, which provides access to unsecured loans of up to €500,000.

“Generational renewal cannot be simplified into just one scheme or measure,” Minister Heydon said, highlighting the importance of taxation, social welfare, agricultural policy and access to finance in influencing succession decisions.

He said the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming had produced 31 recommendations and confirmed that he intended to bring a memorandum to Cabinet in the coming weeks on progress towards their implementation.

At European level, the Minister highlighted the unanimous agreement secured during Ireland’s EU Presidency on the Council’s position on the future Common Agricultural Policy, including a stronger emphasis on generational renewal, targeted income support, higher direct payment and investment rates, and new establishment supports for young farmers.

Ksenija Simovic, Principal Policy Advisor with Copa-Cogeca, representing European farmers and agricultural co-operatives, called for complementary measures supporting both retiring and incoming farmers. She emphasised the importance of farm profitability, affordable finance, land access, investment supports and advisory services, alongside improved rural living conditions and opportunities for farm diversification.

RAISE

The summit also highlighted the RAISE European Innovation Partnership project, supported by the Department of Agriculture and led by ICOS Skillnet over three years within the co-operative sector. The initiative promotes intergenerational farm partnerships, succession planning, business management and leadership development, with the first graduates of its RAISE Cultivate programme recognised at the event.

The summit continues for the full day today with discussions and workshops focused on identifying practical proposals to accelerate farm succession, improve opportunities for younger farmers and strengthen the long-term sustainability of Irish farming and the co-operative sector.