The EU Commission has launched a study which it hopes will inform policy makers on how best to support Europe's young farmers.

The ageing agricultural demographic is a problem in Europe, and a number of other states in the global North.

The shortage of 'new blood' entering farming is so concerning that in the recently reformed Common Agricultural Policy specific attention has been paid to attracting and supporting young farmers in the bloc. With the average European farmer aged around 59, the challenge of passing on the generational baton in agriculture is proving a difficult one.  

In Europe, less than 10 percent of farmers are under 35 whereas almost a third are over 65 and the average age is increasing. In light of this severely weighted demographic, a young farmer in Europe is classified as someone under 40 years old.   

The Commission is seeking to identify the needs of young farmers and asking them to review agricultural exchange schemes, farm visits and other knowledge transfer initiatives, with a view to discovering the most pressing issues young farmers currently face.

The Commission survey, which should only take around a quarter of an hour to complete, also deals with the knowledge and training needs of young farmers, the main information sources used by young farmers, and the context of their farming and personal situation.

The survey can be taken here until 24^th May. Answers will be used to devise policies for young farmers at EU and national levels.