News & Press Room

Macra na Feirme national president Alan Jagoe speaking following the EU Commissions briefing on the legislative CAP proposals said he was very supportive of the Commissions specific measures for young farmers and he looked forward to their further development and implementation. 

‘There is room for improvement in the measures for supporting young farmers and structural change but the principle of direct supports for youth under the Single Farm Payment is unprecedented and strategically important for generational renewal, food security and competitiveness,’ he said.

‘Structural change is the greatest barrier to the future development of agriculture with young farmers who are the future food producers only representing 6% of European farmers, therefore I welcome the EU Commission’s recognition of addressing structural change in both Pillar 1 and 2.’  

These supports included under Pillar 1 (Single Farm Payment), a top up for young farmers in the region of 25% up to a defined acreage, and in Pillar 2, young farmer business start up supports.  The proposals will also have to accommodate new entrants on an ongoing basis.

‘This marks the beginning of a historical reform giving more priority to young farmers, too often young farmers have been the one’s most disadvantaged by CAP reforms, and it is now important that the EU Parliament and Council of Ministers reinforce and endorse this policy change for young farmers’, he concluded.