ACTIVITY REPORT 2019 at Delaval Everything We Do Is About Farming, and Every Solution We Develop Starts from a Farmer's Perspective
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CEJAACTIVITY REPORT 2019 At DeLaval everything we do is about farming, and every solution we develop starts from a farmer's perspective. After all, when it comes to the future, it all revolves around you. (1) FOREWORD BY MEP NORBERT LINS (2) FOREWORD BY CEJA PRESIDENT JANNES MAES (3) INTERVIEWS WITH CEJA VICE PRESIDENTS (7) ABOUT CEJA (10) LETTER FROM THE SECRETARIAT (11) MESSAGE FROM DELAVAL (12) MESSAGE FROM MASSEY FERGUSON (13) CEJA ELECTION TABLE OF CONTENTS (15) THE CLIMAKERS WORKSHOP AND “SPOTLIGHT ON YOUNG FARMERS” SYMPOSIUM (17) POLICY PERSPECTIVES (19) KEY POLICY PAPERS FROM 2019 (21) COMMUNICATIONS (23) PROJECTS, CIVIL DIALOGUE GROUPS AND MARKET OBSERVATORIES (25) CEJA MEMBER ORGANISATIONS (27) CALENDAR FOR 2020 FOREWORDFOREWORS NORBERT LINS CHAIRCHAIR OF THE OF THEEUROPEAN COMMITTEE PARLIAMENT’S ON AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE AND RURAL ON AGRICULTUREDEVELOPMENT DEAR YOUNG FARMERS, Since I took office as Chair of the European To better support our young farmers, Parliament’s Committee on Agriculture the Commission’s proposals for the CAP and Rural Development after the European post-2020 make the point that the CAP elections in 2019, generational renewal in should give flexibility to Member States to agriculture has been high on our agenda, develop tailor-made schemes that reflect be it in our Committee’s debates on the specific needs of their young farmers. the European Parliament’s priorities for A wide number of potential actions are the new legislature, during the hearings suggested here. which are worth exploring. of Commissioner Wojciechowski or in However, we should not lose sight of the our discussions on the future Common fact that, as for other elements of the Agricultural Policy. new CAP, it will be up to Member States to select their preferred set of options EU farmers are getting older and to address their specific circumstances. generational renewal is put at risk by the This means that, just as for other policy lack of attractiveness of rural areas and interventions under the new CAP, support the income gap with other professions. This to young farmers might differ significantly dangerous demographic trend threatens from one Member State to the other, which the capacity of EU agriculture to reinvent would undermine our capacity to tackle this itself and adapt to a changing environment, priority at EU level. as young farmers are more open to innovations and technological change. Against this background, we have to remain vigilant and make sure that this top priority One must also be aware of the limited for EU agriculture translates into action at size and impact of CAP support for young Member State level. With this aim in view, farmers, as pointed out by a recent report I am looking forward to working with CEJA from the European Court of Auditors. The to use your influence across Europe so that figures there tell us one simple truth: that Member States deliver on this key objective our policy support to young farmers has of the new CAP. failed to tackle the main barriers to entry for young farmers and that we should change tack to address these pressing issues. FOREWORD JANNES MAES CEJA PRESIDENT DEAR YOUNG FARMERS, the needs of young and future farmers. Our voices will be an increasingly crucial part of I am happy to address you all in this Foreword the debate at the global, European, national, to CEJA’s annual activity report for 2019. A regional and local levels. At the end of 2019, new decade is upon us, and with the European we approved our climate change position elections, the diversity of protests related paper - a huge success thanks to your good to the agricultural sector and the ongoing work. I invite you all to use this paper as a discussions regarding the CAP reform, we have tool for us to collectively mobilise so that glimpsed what is to come and the work we nobody is left behind. have left to do. 2019 was also an election year for CEJA. At The European elections in May 2019, in which our General Assembly in Sweden in June, young Europeans were more involved than the CEJA board was chosen for the 2019- ever before, led to the setting up of a new 2021 mandate: Samuel Masse, Seán Finan, Parliament. The Commission also underwent Simon Wacke and Doris Letina. Together, we changes with a fresh group of delegates taking selected what we consider to be the most office. The new College of Commissioners, for pressing issues for young farmers at the the first time under female leadership, set out European level. Over the next two years, with a very ambitious agenda, including the we will focus on the CAP reform, climate Farm to Fork Strategy and European Green change, the bioeconomy, trade, and building Deal that are highly relevant to farmers. While up collaboration amongst our members. The we fully support the ambition to become General Assembly was also an opportunity the first climate-neutral continent, it is to expand CEJA’s reach through the approval our duty to be a constant reminder that a of the observer membership of the Estonian sustainable and climate-friendly European Young Farmers’ Organisation. agricultural sector can only be achieved if other challenges that (young) farmers face are Generational renewal is a top priority across tackled alongside these goals. Europe, and CEJA will strive to ensure that it remains at the top of the agenda Young farmers are on the front line in the for all agriculture, rural development and battle against climate change. We are familiar environmental policies. This is a battle we with the threats because we have experienced must fight together, as member organisations them first hand. While climate action is urgent from all corners of Europe, because and necessary, the policies needed to achieve collaborative action is crucial to translating our targets must take into consideration global strategies into local action! 3 INTERVIEWS WITH CEJA’S VICE PRESIDENTS SAMUEL MASSE CEJA VICE PRESIDENT WHY DID YOU RUN FOR ELECTION AND period of the CAP and the application of the WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE DURING CAP after this period to all the positions YOUR MANDATE? we have. We must also make sure that the improvements for young farmers in the CAP I ran for election with the idea of playing a will be implemented. more active part in defending agriculture and generation renewal. I am interested in making WHAT IS SOMETHING THE GENERAL PUBLIC sure all the organisations I am responsible SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUNG FARMERS? for can have the information they need and a voice in the discussions. From this mandate, Firstly, to be aware of the current situation I expect that our position on climate change facing the agricultural sector in terms of will be taken into account by EU politicians. generational renewal and the aging of the I also hope we can share our positions with farming population. Secondly, explaining other organisations worldwide, as well as the incredible diversity of young farmers in presenting them to the FAO. Lastly, I am Europe, alongside the diversity of production, interested in developing connections between landscape and products. This could illustrate other young farmers’ organisations from all the huge opportunity the agricultural sector continents. provides for young people looking for jobs with responsibilities and, in many cases, a IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST better quality of life. Finally, the general public CHALLENGE FACING CEJA? should know about our positions, including the most recent one on climate change. The biggest challenge we will have to face during this mandate will be the transition 4 SEÁN FINAN CEJA VICE PRESIDENT WHY DID YOU RUN FOR ELECTION AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE DURING YOUR MANDATE? In May 2017 I finished my term as the National President of the Irish young farmers’ organisation Macra na Feirme. I was an active participant in CEJA and saw first-hand the great work that the organisation does at a European level. I decided to put my name forward for a second term to continue my work on behalf of all European young farmers on the issues and policies that will determine our futures and in which Europe will play a pivotal role. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING CEJA? CEJA is only as good as the member organisations it represents. It needs to continue to listen to their views and develop strong, robust policy position papers and documents. Like all young farmers’ organisations, CEJA achieves a huge amount with limited financial resources. For the continued success and development of CEJA in future years, we need to develop a clear strategy which sets out the vision for the future growth and development of the organisation. WHAT IS SOMETHING THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUNG FARMERS? As young farmers we are the "new environmentalists". There is sometimes a fractious relationship between farmers and the environmental Pillar. As young farmers, we need to better sell the good work we do to protect, enhance and maintain the countryside as a public good. As young farmers, we are the true custodians of the countryside and the best people to deliver results-based, progressive environmental measures as part of next CAP. 5 SIMON WANCKE CEJA VICE PRESIDENT WHY DID YOU RUN FOR ELECTION AND WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE DURING YOUR MANDATE? I am convinced that young farmers play a key role in the future support of our sector. I ran for election because I know that my contribution will make a difference when lobbying and advocating sustainable solutions dealing with this objective. By defending the interests of European young farmers, we can ensure a more balanced view on farming.