Spotlight on barriers to young farmers

At the recent CAP 50th anniversary event in the centre of Brussels, Macra’s Bryan Daniels and John Joyce highlighted difficulties for young people trying to enter farming in Ireland, and called for better access to land and capital, which are the most substantial barriers to entry to farming, not just in Ireland but across Europe.

After the event, Bryan Daniels said people in Brussels are shocked and surprised at the dwindling numbers of European young farmers.

CEJA, representing EU young farmers, was just one of the many EU organisations involved in the event, which was attended by Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Dacian Ciolos, and the two members of Macra’s Ag Affairs Committee spoke with him to express their views on behalf of fellow Macra members.

“Commissioner Ciolos agreed with us and reiterated that CAP going forward would need be more suitable to young farmers. This includes a change from historical payments and a young farmer top up,” said Bryan Daniels.

The Brussels event included a city farm organised by CEJA member organisation FJA of Belgium.