A resolution drafted by the Agriculture Committee points out that an increasing share of European farmers are over 55 years old, that many of them do not have a successor, and that the agricultural sector needs to be made more attractive.
MEPs in Strasbourg also believe that EU countries should include preferential rules for young farmers in their land policies to preserve agricultural land for the sector. Research shows that credit applications from young farmers are rejected by banks two to three times more often.
The resolution on generational renewal in EU farms was adopted almost unanimously on Thursday with 447 votes in favor, 14 against, and 7 abstentions. The report warns that demographic decline affects farmers and rural populations more than other parts of society.
Issues surrounding the price and availability of agricultural land were identified by EU politicians as barriers for young people entering the agricultural sector. Price controls on the sale and rental of land; long-term usage guarantees; and preferential rights are some of the measures EU countries could implement.
Members of the European Parliament also emphasize that young farmers are more likely to adopt new technologies and sustainable farming practices. The resolution therefore highlights the need to provide young farmers with access to reliable internet and training in digital skills, business planning, or innovative practices.
This problem varies greatly among EU countries, where some offer better future opportunities for agricultural businesses than others. In the Netherlands, barely half have a successor. As farmers face increasingly complex requirements without corresponding new income, enthusiasm to continue the farming business declines.