Ageing farmers have no pensions and young farmers have no entry to farm ownership: It's putting Irish farming generational renewal under threat

Sector will continue to face considerable challenges to encourage the transfer of the farm holding and attract the next generation into the industry

The current generation of Irish farmers face the biggest challenges, with many of their farm enterprises economically vulnerable.

The number of farmers in the older age categories in Ireland is very high, and many thousands with inadequate pension cover continue in agriculture in their old age, relying on farm income to supplement the State Pension, family support, and savings. About 50% of Irish farmers do not have a privately funded pension.

At the other end of the age scale, there is a lack of routes to farm ownership (other than inheritance). Collaborative farming, and alternative farm business structures for families to farm together, and for new entrants to join the industry, have low adoption rates in Ireland.