Young people not insane to enter farming – Kilkenny Macra leader
Macra has responded to comments by MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan that young people would be “insane” to enter farming under current conditions, saying that while the remarks are stark, they reflect the very real frustrations and challenges facing the next generation of farmers.
Macra noted that the number of young farmers continues to decline, with the average age of farmers steadily increasing and just a small proportion of farmers now under the age of 35.
The organisation said that young people entering farming today face a multitude of challenges, including soaring input costs, difficulties accessing land and finance, uncertainty around future CAP funding and the continued absence of critical supports such as installation aid.
Macra President Josephine O’Neill said: “Unfortunately, many young people want to farm, but they face too many obstacles.
“These challenges are wide-ranging and longstanding - access to land, access to finance, succession just to name a few of an increasingly long list of issues faced by young people considering a career in farming.”
The organisation said that no young person should be discouraged from pursuing a career in agriculture, but warned that unless urgent action is taken to improve farm viability and support generational renewal, fewer and fewer young people will view farming as a realistic option.
“A career in agriculture can bring so many opportunities; farming can be an incredibly rewarding way of life.
“We must highlight this positivity while also ensuring that adequate supports are in place to overcome the challenges faced, ensuring a viable and sustainable career for young farmers.”
Macra reiterated its calls for legally binding ring-fenced funding for young farmers under the next Common Agricultural Policy, the introduction of installation aid in Ireland, stronger succession supports and continued investment in measures that improve farm profitability and resilience.
Macra concluded by warning that generational renewal cannot continue to be discussed in reports and strategies alone. “What’s most insane is that all we continue to do is talk about Generational Renewal – we have yet to see meaningful action which actually addresses the crisis the agricultural sector faces.”
Meanwhile, Macra has responded to the publication of the European Commission's evaluation of the Nitrates Directive, saying the report reinforces the need for a balanced and practical approach to improving water quality that recognises both the progress made by farmers and the challenges that remain.
“Young farmers are fully committed to improving water quality and recognise that protecting our natural resources is essential for the future of both farming and rural communities,” Ms O’Neill said.