The average age of European farmers has increased by two years, leading to criticism of current support schemes for young farmers from incoming Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski.

Speaking to MEPs last Tuesday, he said that the results of the scheme were “not satisfactory” and the issue of depopulation in rural areas was a major concern.

MEPs quizzed him on how he was going to encourage older farmers to pass on their land to the younger generation.

Retirement scheme

Wojciechowski referenced the success of a structured pension plan in Poland that had provided financial incentives for land transferral between generations.

This will give hope to many farmers who are in favour of the return of an early retirement scheme, similar to one that was in place in Ireland a number of years ago.

“We have to do our best to make the job of the farmer more secure,” Wojciechowski said.