On Tuesday 21 October, the EU’s farming organisations criticised the lack of ambition in the European Commission’s strategy on generational renewal (see EUROPE 13735/6).
Copa-Cogeca welcomed a number of positive points, including the creation of a platform on women in agriculture, recognition of the role of agricultural cooperatives and the European observatory on agricultural land.
However, the strategy is seen as lacking ambition, as it does not tackle the main problem: low incomes in farming. According to Copa-Cogeca, generational renewal will fail without fair and stable farm incomes that are comparable to those in other sectors. It felt that the strategy did not have a solid, distinct budget in the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
IFOAM Organics Europe has criticised the lack of concrete measures to support young farmers in the organic sector. According to Helene Schmutzler (Organics Europe Youth Network), the strategy does not take into account the essential contribution of young organic farmers and does not propose any specific tools to encourage growth in the organic sector. 21% of organic farmers are under 40, compared with 10% of conventional farmers.
Eduardo Cuoco (IFOAM Organics Europe) warned that without targeted support for organic farming, the EU risks failing to meet its target of increasing the number of young farmers by 2040. The Commission is proposing that 6% of national agricultural expenditure should be earmarked for generational renewal. This is a positive step, but still insufficient, according to representatives of the organic sector, who are calling on the Member States to prioritise support for young people wishing to go into organic farming. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)