Speech by Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Macra National Conference

It gives me great pleasure to be with you here today.

I want to thank Josephine, in particular, for the invitation.

Josephine, I understand this is your final National Conference as President; I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for all your hard work, during another busy year for Irish agriculture, and to wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Guím gach rath oraibh amach anseo agus tá súil agam go mbeidh neart blianta rathúla agaibh sna blianta amach romhainn.

I would like to begin today by acknowledging the important work that Macra does, supporting young farmers through programmes such as “Make the Moove” and the Land Mobility Service.

Your valuable work is encouraging a new generation to engage in their local communities, and contributing to ensuring that our rural areas remain vibrant and attractive places for young people to live and work.

Indeed, your mission, and the work you do bringing young farmers together through some 170 clubs throughout rural Ireland, is to be admired and commended.

It reflects the very best of Ireland, and informs the spirit which guides our Presidency of the Council of the EU, encapsulated in “Ní neart go cur le chéile; There is no strength without unity”.

Agri-food Sector

As you know, the agri-food sector is Ireland’s largest indigenous exporting industry. It now exports to more than 190 markets worldwide, reflecting the strong international reputation we have built for quality, safety and sustainable food production.

The growth of agri-food exports has been primarily driven by added value in recent years, in keeping with our approach to delivering sustainable agriculture and food as set out in ‘Food Vision 2030’, Ireland's stakeholder-led strategy.

We can all see, however, that while the sector continues to perform strongly, it is also operating in an increasingly challenging global environment. Ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, market volatility and rising energy and input costs are all placing significant pressure on the sector.

Let me assure you that the 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.

In recognition of the specific difficulties 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.

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.

CAP Post-2027

Of course, the budgetary allocation for the CAP post-2027 will be determined as part of the wider EU budgetary negotiations, which we hope to conclude by the end of the year.

Ireland continues to actively engage with the Commission, the European Parliament, and our EU counterparts to ensure a strong, well-funded CAP that delivers for farmers, rural communities, and the environment.

As Taoiseach, and as a Government we know that farmers are already facing increased input costs, climate obligations, and market pressures. The next CAP must therefore be adequately resourced to ensure a fair, stable income for producers and to maintain food security across Europe.

Generational Renewal

I am very much aware that one of the burning issues in agriculture, and of particular interest to Macra, is that of generational renewal in farming.

Supporting young farmers and facilitating generational renewal is and one of our key priorities, and is critical to ensuring a viable and sustainable future for our agri-food sector.

We know that demographic challenges are not unique to Ireland, and indeed the challenge of attracting young people into farming is recognised at a national, EU and global level.

The agri-food sector drives economic growth in every corner of the country.

It is vital therefore that we have skilled, innovative young farmers coming into the sector to ensure it has a viable and sustainable future.

Given the vast array of career choices available to young people today, it is so important that farming is promoted as a viable, attractive and fulfilling career.

Sustainability will only be achievable with an agricultural sector that is competitive, resilient and attractive for the next generations of farmers.

With the average age of farmers continuing to rise, with 37% of farmers over 65, supporting inter-generational farm succession is prioritised in the Programme for Government.

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.

National Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming

We recognise that farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions. That is why we established the National Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming, whose work I know you are familiar with.

An implementation group in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has considered the recommendations of the Commission and continues to monitor progress on an on-going basis.

While it will not be possible to implement all the recommendations immediately, some may commence in the short-term, and many will be more medium-term.

Some of the work already underway includes::

• Teagasc are doing important work in progressing the education & training and advisory services; and
• the gender balance recommendation is being progressed through the excellent Women in Agriculture initiatives this year, including the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

The Commission’s report ensures that Ireland has a comprehensive, well-considered foundation for future policy.

In the context of CAP recommendations, these will be considered as part of the future CAP post-2027 and this will involve extensive engagement with stakeholders, including Macra.

However, moving forward, it is also clear that a holistic approach for generational renewal is needed, and that generational renewal should not only be looked at through the lens of CAP supports.

Raising awareness is crucial and all agricultural stakeholders have a role to play. I believe we must work together to encourage young people into farming and to improve the overall attractiveness of the sector.

Budget 2027 Support for Generational Renewal

In parallel with work arising from the Commission, we continue to make progress on the issue. Under Budget 2027, to bring more certainty to succession planning, changes to Succession Farm Partnerships were agreed:

• removing the 3-year waiting period before farm assets can be transferred; and
• doubling the tax credit from €5,000 to €10,000, for five years, for Partnerships registered from 1 January 2027.

This will allow for the earlier transfer of farms to young farmers once all other conditions are met.

We know that agricultural relief is a key support for farm succession, and the Commission recommended the retention of Agricultural Relief. This relief remains available to farm families to facilitate succession and the inter-generational transfer of farms, with an increase in the group thresholds.

I know that access to finance is a significant issue, and the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme has been expanded by €500 million and extended to 2029. Access to unsecured loans up to €500,000 makes this a viable option for young and new entrant farmers who do not have a high level of security.

Conclusion

Before I conclude I would like to again take this opportunity to express my gratitude for the hard work, and the valuable work you all do, contributing to this very important sector.

Supporting you, young farmers, and facilitating generational renewal is critical to ensure a bright future for our important agri-food sector, but also for our country’s social and economic health; and I can assure you of the Government’s continuing support in this.

Gabhaim buíochas libh arís as an deis seo labhairt libh. Tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh sult as an gcuid eile den lá.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh.