European Commission to promote generational renewal in European agriculture

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The strategy sets out a roadmap to support young farmers and attract more people into farming, the EU Commission said in a statement. It aims to double the number of farmers in the EU by 2040, with young and new farmers accounting for around 24% of farmers. To this end, the EU Commission has recommended that member states spend at least 6% of their agricultural expenditure on measures to promote generational renewal. The strategy addresses existing obstacles and sets out support measures to ensure that efforts ensure a sustainable, resilient and attractive agricultural sector for farmers. To achieve this, the strategy sets out an action plan for access to land, finance, skills and a decent standard of living in rural areas. The European Commission has also proposed a “starter package” within the framework of the common agricultural policy to facilitate entry and establishment in the sector, a more targeted use of funds for the benefit of young farmers, and cooperation with the European Investment Bank to provide guarantees and interest rate subsidies and to facilitate access to finance. Through the strategy, the European Commission would create good living conditions in rural areas, implement local developments and introduce agricultural support services that replace farmers during illness, leave or care in order to improve the work-life balance – they were informed.

MTI