Generation renewal strategy

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Ongoing (updated on 29/10/2025) - Bureau decision date: 15/07/2025
Reference
NAT/963-EESC
Opinion Type
Optional
Referral
COM(2025) 872 final
Rapporteur
Arnold PUECH d'ALISSAC
Employers - GR I
France
Plenary session number
603
-
Agriculture
Food sustainability
Opinions of the EESC Youth Test
Zero hunger

🧑‍🎓The EESC Youth Test is being applied to this opinion. Rural Youth Europe was chosen by a group of interested youth organisations to represent all of them during the opinion-making process. 

Practical information

  1. Composition of the study group
  2. Administrator / Assistant in charge: Nicolas Stenger & Myrto Kolyva / Luca Pitrone
  3. Contact

Background

Europe’s agricultural sector is facing a pressing generational challenge: the average EU farmer is 57 years old, and only 12% are under 40. Ensuring the renewal of generations in farming is vital to safeguard Europe’s food security, strategic autonomy, and the vitality of rural territories. Young and new farmers continue to face significant obstacles, particularly in accessing land, finance, training, and adequate living conditions.

In October 2025, the European Commission presented its Strategy for Generational Renewal in Agriculture, outlining a roadmap to double the share of young farmers in the EU by 2040. The strategy recommends that Member States dedicate at least 6% of their agricultural spending to measures supporting young and new farmers and develop national strategies by 2028. 

Among its flagship initiatives are a mandatory CAP “Starter Pack” providing up to €300,000 in start-up aid, the creation of a European Land Observatory to improve land transparency, financial instruments with the European Investment Bank, and actions to support farm succession, work-life balance, and attractive living conditions in rural areas.