The discussions were attended by EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, and Vice-Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Daniel Buda. Representatives from the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA), the Committee of Professional Agricultural Organisations (COPA), and the General Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives (COGECA) also participated.

Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Czesław Siekierski, stressed that generational renewal in European agriculture is not only a necessity, but a turning point on which the future of rural areas depends. In the hands of young people lies not only continuity but also the energy, vision, and potential to reshape agriculture.

– Generational renewal is not just a challenge - it's also a huge opportunity. It's a chance to boldly transform European agriculture into a more sustainable, digital and innovative sector. It's a chance for the young to become leaders of change, not just recipients. It's a chance for EU food security – Czesław Siekierski, Polish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The head of Poland's agriculture ministry stressed that the Polish presidency of the EU Council places special emphasis on agriculture that can meet challenges - both market and climate. Only a strong flexible and resilient sector will provide Europe with real food security. A prerequisite for this is openness to modernity and innovation - not as an end in itself, but as a foundation for sustainable competitiveness.

Participants in today's session stressed that generational renewal, is a key issue for the future of the Common Agricultural Policy, and young farmers must be partners in its creation. Representatives of the younger generation noted that they are keen on cooperation and knowledge exchange.

Demographic change: a challenge for rural Europe

Most EU countries are experiencing declining generational replacement rates, particularly in rural areas, especially those distant from urban centres – including regions where agriculture plays a key economic role.

Counteracting the negative effects of demographic shifts and adapting to them is crucial for maintaining the vitality of rural areas and ensuring that agricultural production remains profitable, competitive, and sustainable. Generational renewal is a prerequisite for maintaining the European model of agriculture, often based on family farms, striving for competitiveness while respecting the environment.

Agriculture must be modern and innovative – and young farmers are the most eager to restructure farms and implement new solutions.

Not just the CAP – the need for comprehensive support for young farmers

Participants at today's meeting shared their thoughts on how generational renewal can affect the implementation of innovation, and how innovation will contribute to generational renewal in agriculture. The ministers also noted that generational renewal must be a cross-cutting priority for the CAP and other EU policies.

They pointed out that generational renewal is dependent on the future CAP and vice versa. If the future agricultural policy is not responsive to the needs of the young, they will not stay in rural areas. There will be no innovative agriculture without young farmers.

I think the CAP already plays a key role in supporting the generation renewal. The CAP strategic plans allocate 8.5 billion to support for young farmers, including income and investment aid. And by 2027, 377,000 young farmers should become heads of farm via this help – Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food.

They discussed the most effective measures to encourage young people to live and work in rural areas. The generational transition, discussed today in Warsaw, is closely linked not only with innovation but also with education and enabling tools for young people starting out in the profession.

Many participants emphasised that generational renewal cannot be addressed solely through the Common Agricultural Policy. A systemic approach is needed, integrating agricultural policy with education, digitalisation, social infrastructure, and public financing. It is not only the agricultural sector that must be attractive to young people – rural areas must be as well. Only then will we create conditions that encourage young people to choose to live and work in the countryside.

It is necessary to create a whole package of tools in the following areas: infrastructure, medical care, education. Also important are measures to support families, access to nurseries and kindergartens in rural areas.

The ministers also pointed to young farmers' access to land and capital and countering price speculation as one of the biggest challenges. They also highlighted the need to simplify regulations for the transfer of farms.

– We must look at this through the lens of resilience and food security. This is also referenced in Commissioner Hansen’s Vision for Agriculture. I trust that the conclusions from today’s debate will feed into the work of the Commission’s services on the upcoming EU Strategy for Generational Renewal – added Minister Czesław Siekierski.

Learn more

See Council's backgrounders on The common agricultural policy explained, CAP funding rules 2023-2027, Food security and affordability, From farm to fork, EU trade policy.

Topic page: Food and farming.

Event page: Informal meeting of agriculture ministers 15-17/6

Photo gallery: 17/06/2025 Warsaw | Informal meeting of Agriculture Ministers | Flickr

Upcoming AGRIFISH formal meeting: Agriculture and Fisheries Council 24/6