Macra has criticised the Government’s failure to fund a pilot succession scheme in Budget 2027, describing it as a missed opportunity to show real ambition to address generational-renewal issues.
A dedicated scheme to support the transition of farm management from older farmers to the younger generation has been sought by Macra for a number of years.
Macra had called for Budget 2027 to fund a pilot that supports the development of the model ahead of the next CAP, post-2027.
“A pilot Succession Scheme would have allowed us to develop a practical model for transferring management, responsibility and decision-making to the next generation ahead of the next CAP,” she said.
Succession farm partnerships
Macra welcomed the removal of the three-year requirement for succession farm partnerships, a change specifically called for in the organisation’s pre-budget submission.
Macra described the requirement as “a barrier rather than an incentive to farm transfer”.
Its removal will give farm families greater flexibility to progress succession, rather than being constrained by a set timeline.
“We welcome its removal, but ultimately this is a policy correction to a problem that should never have existed,” O'Neill said.
“Succession policy should make it easier for families to transfer farms and responsibility to the next generation, not put obstacles in their way.”
Welcomed
The increase in the succession-farm partnership tax credit from €5,000 to €10,000 was also welcomed by Macra.
The organisation hopes this will provide a stronger incentive for farm families to actively plan for succession.
“Doubling the tax credit is a positive step,” O'Neill said.
“We hope the increased support will encourage more farm families to start the succession process and give young farmers greater certainty about their future in the sector.”
Further action needed
Macra said the changes announced in Budget 2027 represent positive progress but stressed that addressing Ireland’s succession and generational-renewal challenge will require much stronger action.
“This Budget was an opportunity for Government to prove that generational renewal is more than a talking point. They have failed to take it,” O'Neill said.
“If Government is genuinely serious about generational renewal, it needs to stop talking about the problem and start delivering the measures that will actually transfer responsibility, opportunity and the future of Irish farming to the next generation.”
SHARING OPTIONS