23 October 2024

Teagasc represented on Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming

Members of the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming have been announced by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D.

Comprising a small group of people with relevant expertise and experience to adopt an objective, evidence-based approach to examine all the complex factors involved, Aidan O’Driscoll will chair the Commission. Aidan O’Driscoll chaired the Commission on the Defence Forces, is the current chair of Ornua, and is also the former Secretary General of the Departments of Justice and Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Also joining the Commission are: Dr. Emma Dillon, Economist and Senior Research Officer with the Teagasc, currently leading research on generational renewal and the development of new metrics for social sustainability across farm systems; Professor Thia Hennessy, Head of the College of Business and Law at UCC with specialist expertise in the economic performance of the agri-food sector; Aisling Meehan, qualified solicitor, tax consultant, farmer and member of Women in Agriculture Working Group; Thomas Duffy, dairy farmer, former President of Macra na Feirme, former Vice President of European Young Farmers Association, and current independent chair of Teagasc Signpost Steering Committee; Trevor Boland, Accountant, currently farming as a Teagasc Signpost Beef Farm in a Registered Farm Partnership; and Seán Bell, Chief Economist, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Commenting on the formation of the Commission, Minister McConalogue said: “Young people are central to the continuation of a vibrant and sustainable farm sector in Ireland.

“While we have already put in place an unprecedented range of supports for young farmers, we need to consider whether those measures are having the desired effect, and how supports might best be configured for the future. The family farm is the heart of agriculture in Ireland, and I am a strong supporter of assisting the next generation take over the farm when the time is right to do so.”

Thanking the members of the Commission for agreeing to commit to this important work and highlighting the inclusion of generational renewal in the current Common Agricultural Policy, the Minister added: “It is expected that the European Commission will publish its proposals for a post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy during 2025. Therefore, this is an appropriate time to consider whether the framework currently in place provides appropriate support to young farmers thinking of entering the sector and effectively encourages generational renewal.

“I have asked Aidan to ensure that the Commission engages closely with stakeholders, including all the main farming organisations, business representatives and relevant public sector bodies. Following these discussions and the expert deliberation of the committee, a report on options will be compiled and submitted as part of the Food Vision 2030 process before the end of Quarter 2, 2025. This will ensure that we have an objective analysis of the issue in advance of preparations for the next CAP.”