A Galway East TD has called for a farm succession scheme to be established to ensure the next generation of farmers "can see a viable future on the family farm".

Deputy Albert Dolan highlighted concerns around the age profile of Irish farmers, as just over 4% of farm holders are under the age of 35, while 38% are over 65.

He said: "We have been talking about the age profile of Irish farming for many years, but the figures tell us that we simply have not shifted the dial.

The Fianna Fáil TD said greater emphasis must be placed on supporting both generations through the process.

He said: "Succession should not be about telling older farmers to stop farming.

“Instead, it should provide farm families with a pathway to plan earlier, giving certainty to the retiring generation while allowing younger farmers to build and develop successful farm businesses.” 

Generational renewal

Deputy Dolan is calling on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to review existing succession measures and bring forward enhanced supports that deliver real incentives for generational renewal across the farming sector.

The TD said: "While existing measures have helped some farm families, the current supports are not delivering generational renewal at the scale required.

"We need policies that support family farms, strengthen rural communities and give young farmers the opportunity to build their future at home.

“The future of Irish agriculture depends on getting succession right.”

Cliff edge

A recent national survey showed that farming is approaching a "cliff edge", with one-in-three farmers indicating their intention to exit the farming sector within five years.

The results come from one of the most comprehensive surveys ever carried out of Irish farmers, with around 2,300 respondents across all sectors, of all ages and right across the state.

The survey was conducted by leading Irish research agency Opinions, and commissioned by Agriland and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA).

According to the findings, it is not just the older farmer demographic likely to exit: two in 10 (20%) of farmers aged 45-54 also say they are likely to exit within five years.

Interestingly, only some six in 10 farmers have made a will.

The findings of the survey have highlighted concerns regarding farm succession, with implications that go beyond just the future of the multi-billion-euro farming and broader agri-food sector, and into the social and demographic makeup of rural areas.