Mairead McGuinness Fine Gael MEP

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform proposals need to do more to support and encourage young people to choose farming as a career option, Mairead McGuinness MEP said today.

Speaking in advance of a debate she is hosting tomorrow (Tuesday) in Brussels with Macra na Feirme and the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) on the impact of the proposals McGuinness said: “It is in the interests of all that more young people would see farming as a viable and sustainable career path.” Currently less than 7% of farmers are aged under 35 (CSO).

“It is critical that we implement some practical measures, particularly at the entry stage by way of financial support to young entrants,” she said.

She said the CAP reform proposals do acknowledge the need for such measures but as currently constructed the proposals are weak and will not be sufficient to encourage and help young people to make a career in agriculture.

“If sufficient is not done and the reform opportunity is lost, we risk stagnation in terms of generation renewal and innovation.”

She said the issue was crucial for Irish agriculture where opportunities exist and where many young people are now studying agriculture.

“We will have a number of well trained young people who will want to make a career in agriculture. But without well focused, targeted support, many will not fulfill their ambitions.”

McGuinness said the Single Farm Payment is of major concern to young Irish farmers. And Macra and CEJA support proposals for a top-up on the payment to young farmers.

On a wider level, she said the reforms must be focused on providing the best way forward for the agriculture sector, conscious of the importance of food security and the challenge of producing more from fewer resources into the future.

The MEP is leading negotiations on the Direct Payments section of the reform for the largest political group in Parliament, the EPP, to which Fine Gael is affiliated.