Spain has warned that large tracts of its countryside could become deserts or waste dumps unless the European Union provides enough support to young farmers to prevent them from leaving the land for the city. image expired

Spain, the EU’s third largest agricultural producer, has said it needs support to stem the process of urban drift and called for measures to support young farmers to form a significant part of draft proposals for the post 2013 Common Agricultural Policy due for release by the European Commission on 12th October.  

The situation is a problem across Europe though some countries, such as neighbouring France, have adopted measures to mitigate the impact; France has a young farmers’ union, for producers under the age of 35. However, throughout the EU 27 only six percent of farmers are under 35.

In fact, almost half the farmers in Europe are over 55, 34 percent are over 65. According to Eurostat figures the average age of farmers in the UK is 58. Under current CAP rules member states can jointly finance payments to farmers under 40 for the first five years after they set up in business, though the commission is expected to increase this figure as part of its proposals to act as an incentive to young people.