Macra has launched its Pre-Budget 2027 submission, calling on Government to deliver targeted measures that will support young farmers and ensure rural Ireland remains a prosperous, liveable and healthy place to live and work.
Launched at Macra’s Annual General meeting on Saturday, the submission sets out a wide-ranging series of proposals aimed at addressing the key challenges facing young people and young farmers, with a particular emphasis on succession, access to finance, housing, transport and mental health.
At the heart of the submission is a call for a dedicated succession scheme to support the transfer of farm management to the next generation, alongside increased investment in young farmer supports and rural infrastructure.
“For too long now, young farmers and rural young people have been ignored by our Government,” Macra National president, Josephine O’Neill said at the launch. “Our 2027 Pre-Budget submission sets out the key supports that we need to ensure that young farmers and rural dwellers have a future in rural Ireland. Rural Ireland and the future of farming is now at crisis point, waiting until the rollout of the next CAP is too little too late. We need urgent action, delivered by our Government next October, to guarantee a secure future for our members.”
THREE KEY THEMES
Macra’s submission is built around three key themes: a prosperous rural Ireland; a liveable rural Ireland and a healthy rural Ireland.
Among the organisation’s principal asks are: The introduction of a long-awaited Succession Scheme to support generational renewal; Annual Exchequer funding of €150,000 for the Land Mobility Service; Enhanced grant rates and priority access for young farmers under TAMS; A €500 million Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme offering low-cost finance; Reform of the Vacant and Derelict Property Grant to make rural home ownership more accessible; Greater investment in rural transport, broadband and mobile connectivity.
Also, dedicated funding for rural mental health initiatives, including Make the Moove; Increased supports for farm safety and addiction services; Legally binding ring-fenced funding for young farmers in the next CAP, with at least 6% of agricultural spending dedicated to generational renewal.
Macra noted in its submission that “Generational renewal is no longer just an agricultural concern; it is a national priority.”
The organisation stressed that fewer than 1% of agricultural land is sold annually, underlining the importance of effective succession measures, collaborative arrangements and improved access to finance for young farmers.
Macra is now calling on Government to ensure Budget 2027 delivers meaningful and practical measures that reflect the realities facing young farmers and rural young people.
The full Pre-Budget 2027 submission is available at www.macra.ie/prebudget2027.
