Problems in the generational transfer of farms have been a focus of EU agricultural structures policy since the 1990s and in individual member states for an even longer period. Europe’s farmers are getting older, and the shortage of ‘new blood’ entering the industry is frequently seen as a problem requiring a policy response to correct.
The ageing of the agricultural population results from a combination of two things: a reduced rate of entry by new young recruits, and a reduced rate of retirement or exit by older farmers. This is taking place in the context of a long term reduction in the agricultural labour force in EU countries.
There is no doubt that the average age of farmers is increasing steadily. Unfortunately, the age of farm holder tabulations from the 2010 Agricultural Census have not yet been released by Eurostat, so the latest data we have are still from 2007. In 2007, 31% of holders of agricultural holdings in the EU-15 were 65 or older (28% in 1997 and 24% in 1990).… Read the rest
The greying of Europe's farmers
