Young farmers’ initiative lauded

Young farmers were assured last night that the coming years will be a time of opportunity.

Minister of State Brendan Smith told the opening session of Macra na Feirme’s conference in Carlow that this generation of young farmers will have the chance to take agriculture to a new level and to build on the many achievements of past generations.

“I have every confidence in their ability to meet the challenges which lie ahead as I have in the continuing capacity of Macra to represent their views,” he said.

Mr Smith said Macra na Feirme, which is marking its 60th anniversary, has long been a feature of the farming landscape.

It has very successfully represented at local, national and EU levels over many years the aspirations, perspectives and concerns of farmers.

“With an active membership of over 8,000, it is a significant player and has played a full part in shaping and managing the many changes in farming policies and practices which have occurred over recent decades,” he said.

Agriculture was facing into a period of further and even more profound change. The reform of the CAP will lead into a new era, where farmers will enjoy greater freedom to grow and develop enterprises and to produce what the consumer wants.

The emphasis will increasingly shift to competitiveness, quality assurance, efficiency, innovation and scale, coupled with manifest regard for aspects such as environmental protection and enhancement and animal welfare.

“This shift will not occur overnight but it will be evident sooner rather than later.”