Meaningful measures are needed to address income volatility in farming and to make it an attractive career option for young people.

This was the message from Macra president, Josephine O'Neill, speaking at the organisation's 60th National Autumn Conference, better known as the "Rally" in Adare, Co. Limerick today, October 24.

"We need subsidised farm relief services that recognise the realities of modern farming and support the well-being and work-life balance of those working in the sector.," she said.

In addition, O'Neill stressed that vibrant rural communities must be ensured "where our young people can live and work".

She referred to the many reports on the importance of Ireland's agri-food sector, contribution to the economy, importance to exports, and role in supporting employment, as well as the vital part it plays in sustaining rural communities.

"However, actions speak louder than words, and unfortunately, when it comes to delivering for young farmers, the actions of successive governments, or lack of action ..., have spoken volumes."

O'Neill acknowledged the opportunities to engage with the government, but said "the engagements, meetings and reports must result in delivery".

She referred Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, who delivered the keynote address at the conference, to the organisation's position paper.

"Taoiseach, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to deliver meaningful, ambitious and properly funded supports that will allow young farmers and rural young people to build the future that we want and the future we deserve.

"We are the young people who want to farm - so give us the future we want, and help us to stake our claim in our future in agriculture, O'Neill said.

"Macra will continue to challenge, advocate and fight for the future of our young farmers."

Keynote address

In his address, the Taoiseach said accepting the invitation to the conference affirmed "the very important and significant role that local farmers pay down through the decades".

He added that "while the sector continues to perform strongly, the international and global environment is exceptionally challenging".

He referred to ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, market volatility and rising energy and input costs, which he said were all placing significant pressure on the sector.

"Government will continue to support family farms; this includes through implementation of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan, which will deliver some €10.1 billion to Irish farm families in the period to 2027.

"We have maintained close contact with the main farming organisations through the recent challenges, including Macra, and agri-food stakeholders generally, and we will continue to engage and listen to your concerns."

The Taoiseac pointed out that in recognition of the specific difficulties experienced in relation to energy and fertiliser, the government recently announced an extension of the Fuel Income Support Scheme and a major funding package.

"This acknowledges the significant impact on Irish farm input costs and pressure on farm margins.

Funding

"The Government has committed the maximum level of national funding allowed under the EU Exceptional Aid package, 200% of the EU allocation.

"This €30.8 million, coupled with Ireland’s EU funding allocation, provides for total funding of €46.2 million for the Fertiliser Exceptional Aid Scheme, and will be paid to farmers before the end of the year."

The Taoiseach also acknowledged that generational renewal was the burning issue for Irish farmers.

"So, supporting young farmers and facilitating generation renewal has to be one of our key priorities and is the only way to ensure a viable and sustainable future for our agri-food sector."

He said, however, that demographic challenges were not unique to Europe or to Ireland.

"Attracting young people into farming is a recognised issue nationally, [across the] EU, and indeed [at] global level.

"But then if you look at the impact of the agri-food sector, it impacts every part of Ireland, every corner of our country.

"So, we want skilled, innovative young farmers coming into the sector to ensure that viability and sustainability."

According to the Taoiseach, ensuring that farming would be seen as an attractive, viable, fulfilling career for young people necessitated sustainable income streams.

"Our current CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 cites generational renewal as one of its nine key objectives and substantial investment has been committed to achieve it."