I propose to take Questions Nos. 937, 938 and 941 together.
Supporting young farmers and facilitating generational renewal is critical to ensuring a bright future for the agri-food sector. The challenge of generational renewal is widely recognised both at national and EU level, with the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) citing it as one of its nine key objectives.
My Department is implementing targeted supports for farmers provided in the largest ever (€10 billion) CAP Strategic Plan, including:
• Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers, using some 3% of the direct payments ceiling (€1.186 billion). An amount of €35 million will be provided in support of young farmers each year from 2023 to 2027, which will result in payments of an average of €175 per hectare, subject to a maximum of 50 hectares, over the five years of the scheme to help young farmers establish their businesses.
• A National Reserve 2023-2027 will provide support to two priority categories of Young Farmer and New Farmer.
• Higher grant rates of 60% under the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS).
• Collaborative Farming Grant to encourage established farmers to form partnerships with young, trained farmers.
• A Succession Planning Advice Grant to encourage and support farmers aged 60 years and over to seek succession planning advice.
I will continue to work nationally and in the EU for all farmers, including younger farmers, and will continue to ensure that generational renewal remains a priority. Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy, developed for the sector, by the sector, also recognises the importance of generational renewal.
Strong agri-taxation measures facilitate generational renewal and assist land mobility, and are worth some €300 million per annum. Agricultural Relief is the key measure, along with Stamp Duty reliefs.
Specifically in relation to access to finance, young farmers have benefited from a series of Government-backed loan schemes over recent years. The new €500 million Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme is a viable and attractive source of finance for young, new entrant farmers and smaller-scale farmers, as loans of less than €500,000 do not require security.
Teagasc is the primary provider of accredited further (vocational) education and training for the agricultural sector. Teagasc’s education activities focuses on equipping young farmers with the necessary knowledge to build successful agricultural careers.
While acknowledging that there are significant variations across sectors, family farm incomes have increased for the fourth year in a row, with average incomes up 32% in 2022 to €45,809, despite significant increases in input costs.
I will continue to support all sectors of primary agriculture to ensure that our Food Vision 2030 ambitions of economic, environmental and social sustainability are achieved.
