The Organics Europe Youth Network published its first position paper on Generational Renewal. This organisation unites young people across Europe who believe in a more sustainable future and represent organic youth among farmers and operators all along the organic value chain. This position paper is timely, as it comes a few months ahead of the publication of the Strategy on Generational Renewal by the European Commission. The Organics Europe Youth Network delivered the position paper as its formal contribution to the Call for Evidence made by the Commission.
Helene Schmutzler, Coordinator of the Organics Europe Youth Network says: “We are super proud of the Network’s very first position paper! The paper is a testimony to the fresh and ambitious perspective of passionate and competent young people involved in the organic movement. We are convinced that our elaborate set of concrete recommendations can help pave the way to a sustainable transformation of our food systems where organic has a key role to play and where young people are keen to play a role.”
With an ageing farming population and growing barriers for young (organic) people to enter the sector, this issue is more pressing than ever. In 2020, only 6.5% of farmers were under the age of 35 and the average European farmer is 57 years old. Encouraging generational renewal and attracting and supporting young farmers and entrepreneurs to join the food and agriculture sector becomes increasingly important to ensure food production in Europe.
To tackle the ageing of Europe’s farming population and support a sustainable future, the Organics Europe Youth Network calls for targeted policy changes that remove barriers for young organic farmers and entrepreneurs. Organic practices are essential to generational renewal as they provide more resilient farming systems while offering a viable career path for young people who show growing interest in sustainable practices.
The position paper includes recommendations across six key areas: funding and finance, CAP, access to land, improve fairness in the supply chain, vocational training and education, rural development.
Further details HERE
Source: IFOAM OE
