Key message

Macra na Feirme has released its general election manifesto, which focuses on the potential of investing in youth and young farmers as drivers of the growth agenda and delivering a multiplier effect that benefits and sustains rural areas.

In order to capture the potential of youth and young farmers as a driver for growth and the development of rural areas, Macra na Feirme is calling for the points in our document to be addressed in the next programme for government.

Young farmers

The key challenges faced by young farmers include farm progression, land access, farm investment and viability, access to credit, training and farm safety. Macra’s response to these challenges are to call for young farmer proofing of all CAP schemes to ensure that they are favourable to all active young farmers and ensure there is an adequately funded CAP National Reserve.

The manifesto also outlines that the encouragement and support for new forms of collaborative farming, resolving outstanding issues with existing partnerships and a favourable taxation code to favour the active use of land, is essential to overcome structural issues in Irish agriculture.

Tackling income volatility through taxation measures and enhancing existing young taxation measures will help to encourage young agri-entrepreneurs to grow and develop businesses.

Access to credit is also high on the agenda, with Macra calling for the introduction of the European Investment Bank fund and the introduction of more targeted supports under the Rural Development Programme to support investment in productive assets on farm. Finally, the resourcing of training, advisory and education is essential to satisfy current and future knowledge needs.

Rural youth

The challenges facing rural youth include infrastructural deficits such as access to high-speed broadband, employment and support services, transport and positive mental health initiatives.

The type of responses required are the full implementation of the CEDRA report, which sets out priority initiatives for rural areas to develop and deliver sustainable growth. High-speed quality affordable broadband must be prioritised. Youth services and youth work needs to be further resourced as it has experienced significant cuts in funding. Access to third-level education and prioritising positive mental health initiatives are also outlined in Macra’s manifesto.

Read more

The general election manifesto can be read in full on macra.ie.