Macra president, Elaine Houlihan, today (Thursday, January 23) called on the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, to commit to a “minimum mandatory young farmers' allocation of 4%“ at the mid-term Common Agricultural Policy programme review.

Speaking at the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Dublin, Houlihan was highly critical of Ireland's approach to tackling generational renewal, claiming that it is the only member state “that does not use CAP funding for insulation aid".

"Our [Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine] allocates the bare minimum for young farmers, meaning that less than 2% of the Irish CAP funds, in total, are contributed to generational renewal, well below the EU average of more than 2.7%," Houlihan said.

In response, Commissioner Hansen said he intends to discuss the issue of support for young farmers with the new government on his next visit.

"That is another reason why I will have to come back to Ireland,” he added.

While answering Houlihan's query, Commissioner Hansen also questioned how CAP funding is being allocated throughout the EU.

"I will not mention any member states, but we know that in some member states, it’s quite a few that are getting quite a lot," he said.

"If you have 5,000ha, do you need the same amount per hectare, as someone who has just 50ha? I don’t think that is appropriate. Those people are not young farmers, the people who are getting enormous amounts," Commissioner Hansen added.

He also highlighted that he is currently working with the European Investment Bank president, Nadia Calviño, on a package worth €3 billion to help tackle generational renewal.

“It is important that we have mandatory support and it needs to be way higher than the ones that we have in direct payment and in investment.

"Investment will be crucial. I have a package with the EIB president, Nadia Calviño, which will guarantee young farmers get those loans," he said.