Brussels, 07/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - “CEJA strongly regrets that the Dess report indicates extending the co-financing system and possibility for national top-ups to many areas of agriculture policy”, says a press release published on Monday 7 March by the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA). CEJA thus adds its name to the list of those unhappy with the draft report on the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) (see EUROPE 10326).
CEJA is concerned that the rapporteur's suggestions might weaken the common policy by re-nationalisation of the CAP and “strongly rejects any further co-financing which could harm fair competition within the EU single market”. Currently, support for young farmers is optional and CEJA is calling for the aid scheme to be compulsory in future to prioritise generational renewal.
CEJA is critical that the Dess report does not focus enough on the situation of young farmers. Only 6% of those in the agricultural world are aged under 35. The number of European farmers aged over 65 is 4.5 million. CEJA states that young farmers receive only 3% of the 2007-2007 spending under the rural development programmes. Among the measures CEJA advocates on the reform of the CAP after 2013 are: - a top-up payment for young farmers under pillar 1 (direct aid and market spending) - stronger measures for young farmers under pillar 2 (rural development), with 80% of the aid coming from the Community budget and 20% from member states; - preferential access to credit for young farmers; - a European training programme for young farmers. (L.C./transl.rt)