Reformed CAP good for Young Farmers – Comiskey

Fine Gael Sligo Leitrim Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Agriculture Michael Comiskey today (Monday), following the release of statistics by the CSO, indicating that less than 6% of farmers in Ireland are now under 35 years, highlighted measures of the reformed common agriculture programmes aimed at encouraging young farmers into the industry.

“Unfortunately previous measures intended to encourage more young people into farming have proved unsuccessful, as new CSO data shows that the average age of farmers rose from 50 to 54 years in the period 2000 to 2010. Considering the importance of farming to the Irish economy, this trend is very worrying.

“Further details on how a reformed common agriculture agreement could assist in reversing this trend were announced last week.   These measures which include top ups to direct payments and support from the Rural Development Programme will be in addition to existing stock and stamp duty relief and will run the length of the programme up to 2020.  

“These measures have been created with a dual purpose; firstly to incentivise new entrants to the farming sector and secondly a requirement for additional educational criteria to be satisfied will ensure that these measures are directed at those who are genuinely interested in working in the sector.

“It is no exaggeration to say that the future of agriculture is entirely dependent upon our success at encouraging new entrants to the sector.   Budget 2014 included an adjustment to capital gains tax making it more attractive for farmers to transfer land to younger farmers.   This as well as those measures introduced under the new CAP schemes will be important in seeking to reverse the age trends in the sector.”