Mr. John Keane:

I thank the committee for inviting Macra na Feirme to today's meeting. It is refreshing to hear some of the comments from farmers and, from my point of view, the perspective of young farmers on issues, especially on CAP, in the context of the challenges which faced our sector in terms of CAP and the potential future impact of the climate action Bill, the farm-to-fork strategy and how they could impact on future pathways for young people and farmers into our sector. It is against that background and in that context that Macra na Feirme is firmly behind the following proposals and statements.

On CAP, over the past 25 or 30 years, we have had many promises on generation renewal and supports for young farmers. Now more than ever, we, as young farmers, need policies which deliver real and positive impact for our sector. With the number of farmers under the age of 35 now at less than 5%, fundamental change is needed to ensure the long-term survival of our sector and that the sector flourishes and embraces and practises the changes which are needed.

We have an opportunity in this CAP to go beyond the promises made in previous reforms to deliver targeted supports which will make a positive impact in terms of young farmers entering farming and our commitments on the environment and change. Young farmers have always been at the forefront of driving and embracing change, be it practices on farms or embracing technologies. The elevating of generation renewal to one of the nine key objectives under these CAP proposals is a clear signal from the Commission to member states that supports targeted at young farmers must be a key priority and merely maintaining the status quo will not be enough to deliver on what is required to improve and encourage generation renewal.

Under the schemes introduced in 2014, Macra na Feirme welcomes the introduction of both the young farmer top-up and the national reserve. Continuation of these is crucially important, but a continuation of a fully funded and committed national reserve for the period of this CAP must be at the forefront of the measures to encourage generation renewal.

Macra na Feirme, along with its partners in Europe, the European Council of Young Farmers, CEJA, fundamentally supports the position that 4% of direct payments from Pillar 1 must be ring-fenced for young farmers and young farmer access. We have seen 2% ring-fenced for this purpose under the current CAP, but it is felt 4% must be ring-fenced for young farmers to ensure they are supported and aided. The interventions which fit under that 4% must support the business of young farmers. We have heard mooted at European level tying supports for organic and other schemes into young farmer schemes is a possibility. Not all young farmers will be able to access or use these schemes. That intervention and similar interventions which will not directly impact young farmers cannot be supported out of the 4% aligned for young farmers under Pillar 1 payments.

We have also briefly spoken about the commitment that there be no backsliding on the contribution for young farmers, both on Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 payments. Of the supports under the current CAP, approximately 6% is ring-fenced for young farmers between Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 payments. It must be ensured that there is no backsliding by Ireland and other member states on that commitment at the upcoming negotiations.

The supports under TAMS were touched on briefly. The maximum investment upper limit of 80% is being talked about. That must also be secured. We have seen how young farmers have responded under TAMS, given that €186 million has been spent by young farmers and contributed under that scheme. That must be continued over the course of the next CAP.

Macra na Feirme sees and looks for flexibility in the five-year rule in the definition of young farmers. We have seen many young farmers who take over the farming enterprise at 20, 21 or 22 years of age no longer meet the criteria for young farmers when they are 26, 27 or 28 years old. I am not sure whether anyone could conclude that is a reasonable or appropriate place for us to be. Maximum flexibility must be outlined for young farmers and the five-year rule, both in terms of access to investments and to national reserve and top-up payments.

What ties into that is the commitment for the forgotten farmers from 2008 and 2009 who fell through the cracks in the previous negotiations.

We welcome the commitment of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy McConalogue, not to forget those farmers in the current CAP negotiations. There is ample opportunity to make provision for them in this CAP reform.

On the current position regarding generational renewal and the elevating of the key priorities, the position on financing schemes such as a succession or land mobility scheme has not been ascertained under the national CAP strategic plan. This is hugely disappointing from our point of view given that land mobility was directly called out by the Commission in its proposals under the current CAP.

We need to ensure fairness for young farmers and the older demographic in the Pillar 1 payments. This also applies to Pillar 2 payments and succession schemes, which must deliver for young and older farmers. As previous speakers touched on, these much be financed and access to land for young farmers taking over should be encouraged.

The definition of a genuine and active farmer must be robust and must deliver on the promises that have been made. Supports must be delivered to the farmers who are farming actively on the ground, who are getting up in the morning and doing the work. It is no longer acceptable to simply direct payments to guys who are not farming on the ground. Supports must be targeted at ensuring farmers who do the work on the ground, day in and day out, have access to payments. The Minister also needs to hold strong on the 75% convergence and ensure smaller holdings are not unduly impacted.

To summarise, young farmers need real delivery under the current CAP proposals. Generation renewal needs to be provided for and we need to provide a future for the young farmers who are currently engaged in farming. Those thinking of entering farming in the coming years need to see a clear pathway as they move forward.