Lack of land mobility and early-transfer disincentives impeding farm expansion

In the context of the abolition of milk quota and the free-market approach since the Fischler reforms, farm organisations and progressive farmers are pointing to land mobility (or access to land) as the next major stumbling block for expanding farmers.

During the recent CAP reform negotiations, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney was encouraged to ensure that CAP funding would focus on productive farmers.

But this was fighting against the tide, because the thrust of the EU has been to steer away from linking supports to production.