Europe’s young farmers have been engaged for a stronger European Union, able to face crises with resilience and solidarity, and to show the path to the next generations. Following today’s proposals for a Recovery Fund and revamped long-term budget, CEJA stands together with the Commission and the Parliament to step up the ambition of our Union.

The additional budgetary capacity proposed today demonstrates the willingness of the EU’s executive to move forward, taking full measure of the COVID-19 lessons and granting much more predictability for the next generations of EU citizens.

“It is essential Member States are fully supportive of the plan put forward by the Commission. National governments now have the unique opportunity to commit for an inclusive Europe, where nobody is left behind. It is their duty to give our continent the appropriate instruments to face the increasing challenges of our century”, said CEJA President Jannes Maes. “The EU budget must reflect the level of ambition we are having on our farms when it comes to producing food, providing public goods and acting for our environment and climate.”

Our sector has been severely impacted by the crisis and such signal is highly needed to regain trust and confidence in the future. Therefore, as young farmers, we welcome the additional €15 billion proposed for agriculture and rural areas as a step in the right direction. In particular, it will allow to invest further in support schemes targeted at young farmers. However, we stand with the European Parliament in its call on Member States to show even more ambition for the Common Agriculture Policy.

For young farmers, the budgetary allocations in the 2021-2027 MFF are going to define the years and decades to come. CEJA will remain vocal in the next weeks to guarantee this first step in the right direction is going forward.