Crisis looms as half of farmers have no successor

Irish farms may be left without a next generation to work them after a study showed there was no successor primed to take over in almost half of all holdings.

The results of the Macra na Feirme Land Mobility and Succession in Ireland study showed that 48% of those surveyed did not have a farming successor identified to take on the farm.

The study also used data from the CSO to show that only 6.2% of farmers are under 35 years of age, while 26.3% of farmers are aged over 65.

It points to potential problems in future, with some older farmers facing little option but to scale back the level of operations on their holdings.

Despite 40% of those surveyed claiming it was important that land be farmed by a family member, just 5% of farmers without successors had received formal advice or information on succession.

The study was carried out by Broadmore Research by telephone survey and a series of focus groups involving IFA and Macra na Feirme members.

The results were launched yesterday by Macra na Feirme national president Alan Jagoe, who said it highlighted issues that needed to be addressed for the benefit of farmers and the economy.

“The Land Mobility and Succession in Ireland study highlights a number of areas which need to be improved upon,” he said.

“Older farmers without an identified successor, which were 48% of those surveyed, must make better, long-term plans for the future of their farm. From the study, we see that these farmers plan to reduce intensity or scale back their farming enterprises.

“We also see a level of mistrust and scepticism exists about long-term leasing which needs to be treated through better promotion and information. Older farmers need to be encouraged to make plans for retirement which will support their needs and make provisions for the younger generation of farmers to take a foothold in the industry.”

He said the Government would need to support land mobility by retaining tax incentives to guarantee access to land for future generations.

Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) president John Bryan said existing incentives must be maintained and that there should be more promotion of the land leasing income tax exemption scheme.

“This encourages the transfer of land use from less productive to more productive farmers,” he said. “It is particularly suitable for part-time and elderly farmers.”

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said the report showed “younger farmers are the lifeblood of the agriculture industry and this report gives us a very good insight into current succession planning at farm level”.

Macra na Feirme has appointed a land mobility programme manager to help implement the study recommendations.

*See the full report at www.macra.ie