The new strategy for generational renewal aims to double the number of young farmers in Europe over the next 15 years to 24 percent. Currently, only one in eight farmers is younger than forty. “Without young farmers, our food security is at risk,” warned Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen at the presentation in Strasbourg.
The core of the plan is a so-called starter package. Young entrepreneurs can receive up to €300,000 to start or take over an agricultural business. The financial support is intended to reduce the high entry costs in the sector.
Furthermore, EU countries will be required to spend at least six percent of their CAP budget on measures for generational renewal. Brussels thus doubles the current share. Especially countries where young people find it difficult to access farmland or credit will have to adjust their policies.
To improve this access, the Commission is working with the European Investment Bank on new guarantee schemes and favorable loans. These are meant to make it easier for young farmers to invest in machinery, buildings, and land.
Another spearhead is the new European Land Observatory. This agency will map farmland trading and counteract land speculation. According to the Commission, farmland is too often bought up by investors, causing prices to rise and locking newcomers out.
Although the plan receives broad support for its ambition, there is also skepticism. Young farmers' organizations and some members of the European Parliament doubt whether the promises will be financially fulfilled. As long as the six-percent target is not legally binding, they fear that many EU countries will postpone renewal.
The new plan will be included in the next Common Agricultural Policy, which starts in 2028. At the same time, the European Commission proposes to reduce total agricultural subsidies in the 2028–2035 multiannual financial framework and to transfer part of those funds to cohesion funds for regional development and rural renewal.
This shift is sensitive. Farmers’ organizations and several European Parliament groups fear that less direct support will further pressure farmers’ income positions. Dutch MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP) is glad Hansen recognizes the difficult position of young farmers. Ruissen was shadow rapporteur in 2022 on the position of young farmers. Hansen has adopted many recommendations from that report.
Nevertheless, the SGP member voices several reservations about the plan. According to Ruissen, there is insufficient attention to reducing administrative burdens and enhancing the competitiveness of European agriculture.
The European Commission defends the reallocation of agricultural subsidies by pointing to the investments of hundreds of billions needed for European Defense and for strengthening the competitive position of European industry.