“Generational crisis” Mayo MEP calls for ringfenced budget for young farmers
MEP Maria Walsh warns of an ageing farming sector and urges stronger supports for young and female farmers
Mayo-based MEP Maria Walsh has called for 10% of the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget to be ringfenced for young farmers.
The Fine Gael MEP, who is serving as the European Parliament’s lead negotiator on Generational Renewal in Agriculture, has published a draft report setting out proposals that could shape EU agricultural policy for the next decade.
The report, which MEP Walsh will present to the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee next Tuesday, June 2, outlines a range of measures designed to support younger farmers entering the sector and ensure long-term sustainability in agriculture across the European Union.
Among the key recommendations are increased CAP funding for young farmers, easier access to land through expanded mobility schemes, improved access to finance and banking supports, stronger succession planning measures, and longer timeframes for EU funding programmes to reflect the realities of agricultural investment.
The report also highlights the need for greater support for women in farming, including targeted funding, mentoring programmes and stronger representation in agricultural organisations and decision-making bodies.
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Speaking ahead of the report’s presentation, MEP Walsh said Ireland and Europe are facing a significant challenge due to an ageing farming population.
“Let us be in no doubt that the Irish and European agricultural sectors are facing a generational crisis,” she said. “In Ireland, the average age of a farmer is 58 years old while the number of farmers under the age of 35 has halved over the past 20 years.”
MEP Walsh said the proposals were developed following consultations with more than 20 Irish stakeholders, including farming organisations, universities, EU representatives and Horizon-funded projects.
“My number one ambition is to ensure 10% of the post-2027 CAP budget is ringfenced for young farmers and generational renewal,” she said. “Funding for the future of our agricultural sector cannot be optional — the policy is only as good as the paper it is written on unless it is mandatory. Ringfenced funding is a red line for me.”
The MEP said targeted support for female farmers would also be central to tackling barriers within the industry.
“Generational renewal must address persistent gender inequalities in agriculture with targeted support for young female farmers needed,” she said.
The Common Agricultural Policy remains one of the European Union’s most significant funding programmes and is central to farm supports across Ireland, with negotiations on the next CAP framework expected to intensify in the coming months.