“Eighty years ago this year, Macra was founded in county Kildare, so it is very appropriate that we are in Naas today, as the organisation celebrates that anniversary. For me, it is an honour to be the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in place that marks that great achievement for what is an inaugural association of our country.

“Agriculture is the heart of Ireland and having young people come into the industry is hugely important to secure that into the future. I am massively supportive of assisting the next generation to take over the farm when the time is right to do so and have put in place a range of strong supports for young farmers. This includes initiatives under the current CAP Strategic Plan, a suite of taxation measures, access to finance, and education and training to support this.

“However, I want to make sure that these measures are having the desired effect, and I want to make sure that supports are best configured for the future. Farm succession is a complex issue and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions. This is why I have asked Aidan O’Driscoll to chair a Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming. This group, that have been selected based on their expertise and experience, will adopt an objective, evidence-based approach to examining all the factors involved. I have asked that the Commission engages closely with stakeholders, and Macra will be central in this regard.”

“I have listened to young farmers and there are two items I want to commit to here today. First, I have tasked my Department with ascertaining whether multi-annual supports under the Common Agricultural Policy, schemes such as ACRES, may be configured to allow access for new entrants throughout the period of Ireland’s current CAP Strategic Plan. This was a recent request of Macra.”

“Secondly, the economic viability of farms is a leg of the sustainability stool that cannot and should not be neglected. Having discussed the issue with young farmers, I am changing the eligibility criteria regarding the grant-aiding of Robotic Milking Machines under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3), Dairy Equipment Scheme. The changes will allow the cap preventing farmers from applying for more than one robotic milking machine between TAMS II and TAMS 3 to be removed.”

“TAMS 3 has proved to be a successful and beneficial scheme. In allowing a second robotic milking machine to be supported across TAMS II and TAMS 3, I am acknowledging the labour-saving benefit of new technologies to farmers all across the country, while continuing to support investments in animal welfare, water quality and the environment, through the varied investment items available under TAMS 3.

“I want to thank Macra for inviting me to their national conference today and I wish them all the best for the next 80 years”, the Minister concluded.