On October 21, the Commission published its long-awaited Strategy on Generational Renewal. Yet, the Strategy falls short of providing any concrete policy tools to support and encourage young people engaged in organic farming practices that are paving the way to a sustainable and viable transformation of our food system.
“Young organic farmers show up on their fields and stalls every day to deliver on the environmental sustainability, climate resilience, innovation, and food security. At the same time, interest in organic farming among young farmers as a viable career path is increasing. The numbers are clear: 21% of organic farmers are under the age of 40, compared to only 10% in conventional farms. For us in the young organic movement, it is deeply disappointing that the Generational Renewal Strategy overlooks the crucial role of young organic farmers and fails to provide concrete tools to support the growth of organic farming in Europe”, said Helene Schmutzler, Coordinator of the Organics Europe Youth Network.
On a positive note, the Generational Renewal Strategy sets out a comprehensive analysis of challenges that young farmers face, such as access to land, access to finance and rural services, and announces the ambitious target of doubling the share of young farmers in Europe from 12% to 24%. Yet many of the barriers that young organic farmers specifically face and to which concrete solutions exist, are not reflected in the Strategy.
Interest in organic farming among young farmers as a viable career path is increasing: 21% of organic farmers are under the age of 40
“Addressing generational renewal and supporting organic farming go hand in hand. While the Strategy alludes to the importance of promotion of ’sustainable’ farming practices, it fails to mention that it is in fact young organic farmers who are already delivering on sustainability every day. Without recognition of organic farming and targeted tools, the EU risks missing its ambition to double the number of young farmers by 2040”, said Eduardo Cuoco, IFOAM Organics Europe Director.
Although its concrete implementation remains uncertain, the Commission’s recommendation to dedicate 6% of national agricultural spending for generational renewal is a step in the right direction. Member States must prioritise those young farmers and new entrants wishing to engage in organic production by providing targeted and sufficient support.
Coherence between the EU’s long-term vision for the future of agriculture and the Generational Renewal Strategy is crucial in order not to undermine efforts to build a truly sustainable, resilient, and fair food system in which organic farming plays a leading role. IFOAM Organics Europe and the Organics Europe Youth Network call on the Commission and Member States to ensure that the CAP implementation and the national strategies on generational renewal explicitly support young organic farmers as key agents for the protection of natural resources and for the revitalisation and attractiveness of our rural areas.
Further information available at www.organicseurope.bio
Subscribe to Bio Eco Actual Newsletter and be up to date with the latest news from the Organic Sector
Bio Eco Actual, International Organic Newspaper
Read Bio Eco Actual
