Question for written answerE-001053-18to the CommissionRule 130Michela Giuffrida(S&D)(20 February 2018)Subject: Young farmers in the EU

The European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) has recently raised concerns regarding the situation of young agricultural entrepreneurs in relation to key sectors of the EU, such as the CAP. As well as easier access for young farmers to land and credit, the CEJA highlighted the need for a clear definition of an active farmer, in order to facilitate the entry of young people into the sector.

On average, most of the farmers in the EU-28 (54,92%) are over 55 years of age (Eurostat 2017), while the proportion of young people in agriculture, i.e. below 35 years, is relatively low (5,94%), a situation that has remained largely unchanged over the last decade.

In view of this:

1.

Can the Commission say what specific criteria are used for the purposes of defining what is meant by an active farmer?

2.

Will it dedicate a specific section to young people in agriculture under the new Youth Strategy to be launched in 2018?

3.

What measures are being taken to support young entrepreneurs in this sector, especially in view of the post-2020 CAP debate?