Young farmers across Europe share a high risk from volatility and the brunt of current low commodity prices but are on track with ideas for Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform.
Members of the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) gathered in Brussels this week to discuss the current market crisis with European industry and government representatives.
Delegates questioned the effectiveness of the current CAP regarding volatility, European global competitiveness and input to the next CAP reform.
Tools to manage volatility, intermediary insurance schemes, biofuels and the environment were high on the agenda.
Hopes for new EU global markets and support from the European investment Bank for individual farmers were also talked about.
Richard Bower, NFYFC and NFU Next Generation CEJA representative said: "It’s clear that European young farmers are discussing the same issues across the member states and we are focussed on CAP 2020.
"Our discussion provided a tangible exchange of thoughts among young farmers across the EU.
"We have previously discussed insurance policies but this was not the direction of travel suggested when we met Commissioner Hogan’s representatives last year.
"It shows how quickly policy can change and we are in a good position to shape our future."
The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) has received support from the NFU to help retain their membership of the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) and currently shares its membership with the NFU Next Generation Policy Forum.
This enables NFYFC CEJA representatives to attend pan-European working groups, seminars and conferences in a bid to influence policy makers and industry to put young farmers’ needs and aspirations high on their agenda.
With over 25,000 members and 644 clubs, the NFYFC is one of the largest rural youth organisations in the UK and head of a nationwide body of Young Farmers’ Clubs located throughout England and Wales dedicated to supporting young people in agriculture and the countryside.
Their memberships comprise young people aged between 10 and 26 years from a variety of backgrounds, who live or work in rural areas.
