Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
903. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to support generational renewal in farming, particularly in light of rising land, machinery and input costs facing young farmers seeking to enter the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35252/26]
View answerThe challenge of generational renewal in farming is widely recognised at both national and EU level. The Programme for Government prioritises supporting inter-generational farm succession. Food Vision 2030, our shared strategy for the agri-food sector, states that generational renewal in farming is critically important to ensure the future viability and social sustainability of the Irish agri-food sector and of rural Ireland.
There are a number of supports for generational renewal currently available to farmers under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027. These supports are complemented by a suite of strong national taxation measures, access to finance supports, as well as advisory and education & training support. Despite these significant supports the average age of farmers continues to rise.
The Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming was established to examine this issue. The report looked at existing supports in detail and estimated that at least €429 million in supports were provided in 2024. They produced a thorough analysis and have made 31 recommendations across a wide range of areas including CAP Supports; Pensions; Taxation; Access to Finance; Access to Land; Collaborative Arrangements; Advisory Services; Education and Training; Gender Balance; and the Overall Attractiveness of the Sector.
As noted by the Commission, this is an issue for all of the agri-food stakeholders to address; to support the environmental, social and economic sustainability of farming, and to enhance its image as a career. An implementation group in my Department is currently considering the recommendations and will monitor implementation on an ongoing basis. I am pleased that some of the taxation recommendations have already been progressed in Budget 2026 and we are currently progressing others.
The current CSP is fully programmed and the budget has been committed. Therefore, recommendations in the report around CAP supports are being considered in the context of the new round post 2027, including the new CAP regulation and a new budget. The EU Commission has also published a new Strategy for Generational Renewal in Agriculture. The work of the Commission ensures we have a comprehensive, well-considered foundation for our ongoing work in supporting generational renewal.
In addition, the Government recognises the exceptional pressure that rising fuel costs are placing on our farmers, contractors, fishers and food & drink processing sectors at this time.
A substantial support package for farmers, farm contractors, and fishers has been put in place following close contact with representative bodies in recent weeks. It includes the full removal of all non-carbon excise on green diesel of 7.4 cents per litre, and a further payment equivalent to 20 cents per litre through an income support scheme. These supports, totalling 27.5 cents per litre, exceed by almost 6 cents the entirety of excise (carbon and non-carbon) charged on green diesel prior to the conflict in the Middle East. The Fuel Income Support Scheme opened for applications from farmers and agricultural contractors on 6th May and remains open until 27th May.
Furthermore, I am also engaging with the main banks asking that they show forbearance with the agri-food and fisheries sector where cashflow issues are emerging and continue to support these sectors during periods of financial pressure with access to the appropriate levels of short-term finance.
