Young farmers future of European food production, says Fischer Boel

YOUNG farmers are the future of European food production, Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel declared after a visit to Flanders.

Writing on her blog, she said visiting young farmers always gives her great hope for the future of European agriculture.

“It is very up-lifting to talk to enthusiastic farmers who are not afraid of taking on challenges and responsibilities and who want to improve farming traditions and techniques.

“Of course, it is not all a bed of roses. Starting up a farm business from scratch is extremely difficult and, even for those who take over the family farm, the current business climate is quite a minefield to operate in,” she said.

Ms Fischer Boel said few would dispute that young farmers are the future of European food production and it is crucial that attention is paid to their particular needs. A stable policy environment has to be ensured.

“Young farmers, as well as the older generation, need predictability when planning new investments. Now that prices have become as unsteady as the weather, this is probably truer than ever,” she said.

The commissioner said one of the concrete measures the EU has taken recently is to boost the start-up aid for young farmers in connection with the Common Agricultural Policy Health Check — from €55,000 to €70,000.

Gradually phasing out milk quotas towards 2015 will also favour the younger generation of dairy farmers who will not have to take on additional cost to enter the market or to expand their businesses.

“One of the things that made the biggest impression on me during my visit in Flanders was the wealth of ideas that the young farmers had when it came to improving the CAP and farming conditions in general.

“I am sure this is not only the case in Flanders so I hope that young farmers throughout Europe will engage in the debate and come forward with their ideas on what European farming should be like in the future,” she said.

Ms Fischer Boel’s blog is at http://url.ie/1bme.