Macra to press Taoiseach and agriculture minister on future for young farmers
Macra na Feirme president Josephine O'Neill: 'What happens in the next CAP will help determine the future for young farmers.' Picture: Andy Gibson
Macra will press Taoiseach Micheál Martin and agriculture minister Martin Heydon on the future of young farmers, with CAP negotiations, farm succession and generational renewal among the key issues at its rally in Limerick this weekend.
As negotiations on the next CAP (2028–2034) intensify, Macra is calling for at least 10% of the CAP budget to be ring-fenced for young farmers, alongside targeted supports to improve farm viability and facilitate generational renewal.
Macra president Josephine O’Neill said: “What happens in the next CAP will help determine the future for young farmers. There is so much uncertainty, with the goalposts constantly changing. Young people need confidence that meaningful supports will be in place to help them establish and develop viable farming businesses.
“Generational renewal cannot simply be a political ambition. It’s written in the manifestos and the reports are sitting on the shelf. Actual action on generational renewal is what we’re missing."
This year’s conference will include panels examining CAP supports, access to land, investment and farm viability, and on how rural policy can support young farmers.
