The EU must lift the barriers to young people in the farming sector by offering them access to land and a fair income, according to a survey released today by CEJA in partnership with DeLaval.
European young farmers are environmentally conscious and want to be recognised by civil society for their work sustaining local communities. But, despite the obstacles, most believe a future in the farming sector is possible the report says.
The “European Young Farmers: Building a Sustainable Sector” report was launched at the European Parliament on Wednesday.
Macra na Feirme National President James Healy has welcomed publication of the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) Survey of young farmers.
The Young Farmer Survey entitled “Building a Sustainable Sector” was an online survey of young farmers conducted from April to August this year. The survey asked questions on topics of economic viability, animal health, on-farm investment, environmental protection and sustainability, rural lifestyle, family farm involvement and availability of land and credit.
At the launch of the survey findings, National President James Healy highlighted the findings that over 50{b28040870e2dde01f25bc5b483275391226143b34751c4bb8f1feeecaec925a1} of young farmers need access to land to develop their farm in an economically sustainable way.
Speaking at the launch, President Healy highlighted the Macra na Feirme established Land Mobility Service as a successful and independent model that supports generational renewal. The Land Mobility Service has facilitated over 280 collaborations over the past three years between young and older farmers.
“This is an important survey to capture the sentiment of young farmers across the EU. From an Irish young farmer perspective, the survey reveals that 81{b28040870e2dde01f25bc5b483275391226143b34751c4bb8f1feeecaec925a1} of Irish young farmers surveyed believe that practical and implementable measures are needed to safeguard the environment.”
“It is not surprising to read within the survey findings, that 89{b28040870e2dde01f25bc5b483275391226143b34751c4bb8f1feeecaec925a1} of Irish young farmers highlight the necessity of widespread fast broadband as an essential requirement to support a vibrant and sustainable lifestyle in rural areas. As Ireland’s young farmer and rural youth organisation, Macra na Feirme have consistently highlighted the importance of equal access to broadband as cities and towns. Over the past few years with advancements in technology, the lack of available and widespread rural broadband is now distinct competitive disadvantage for rural young people operating their farming businesses.”
“Capturing Young Farmer sentiment of a viable future was an important part of the survey. Approximately 60{b28040870e2dde01f25bc5b483275391226143b34751c4bb8f1feeecaec925a1} of young farmers across Europe think that a viable future is either “very likely” or “somewhat likely” within the agricultural sector. As a sector, we need to take sector wide approach to encouraging and supporting careers across the farming community. The constant negativity that exists relating to high costs, barriers to entry for young farmers, financial uncertainty, and challenges associated with work-life balances are discouraging new entrants to the sector.”
