The European Commission has outlined its long-term vision for the European Union's agriculture and food sectors.
The roadmap covers up to 2040 and looks at four areas; making agricultural jobs more attractive, competitiveness and resilience, future-proofing, and ensuring rural areas remain vibrant.
Among the measures proposed are better earnings, less red tape, and additional income streams to incentivise younger people to become farmers.
The Commission also said it will continue to prioritise food security and sovereignty.
With regard to future-proofing, the vision says farmers should be rewarded for adopting nature-friendly practices, adding that the Commission will "carefully consider any further ban on the use of pesticides if alternatives are not available in a reasonable time and will streamline access to biopesticides in the EU market".
The plan also looks at the future of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and says it will be "simpler and more targeted, with support more directed towards farmers who actively engage in food production, with a particular focus on young farmers and those farming in areas of natural constraints. Incentives, rather than conditions, will be favoured".
EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen said the roadmap "will make the sector more sustainable and help agriculture to remain an attractive and remunerative sector so that enough young people join the profession".
He added it will "allow agriculture to continue playing a full part in the EU's efforts to combat the effects of climate change".
Commenting on the plan, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said that "while we cannot pre-empt the outcome of the EU Bbdget negotiations, I believe the vision provides the basis of a strong argument for a robust and fully funded CAP in the next EU budget".
'The first step'
Deputy President of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) Alice Doyle said the Commission's vision document is "the first step" here.
"Now farmers need to see action with a proper CAP budget and a separate fund for environmental measures on farms. We need to see change and delivery on the objectives set out in the document."
The IFA noted that the plan "has little detail on future CAP funding or the need for a separate fund for environmental measures".
Ms Doyle said: "The reality is that this Vision is published at time when there are a lot of concerning noises around the budget for the next CAP. Nice words are fine, but they must be backed up with a strong EU budget for the CAP and separate funding to support environmental measures on farms."
The ICMSA welcomed the plan, which is said "appeared to signal a 'step change' in EU farm policy".
However, ICMSA President Denis Drennan said that "obviously the success or otherwise of the vision will depend on the policy actions that must follow. The positive sentiments must be turned into real actions at farm level".
Irish Organic Association CEO Gillian Westbrook said she welcomes the fact that "the European Commission has reaffirmed that organic farming remains an important sustainable business model for the future, bringing together economic opportunities with tried and tested environmental results and social responsibility and must continue to be supported".
Meanwhile, ICSA president Sean McNamara said the vision is "an important step in shaping the future of farming in the EU".
"However, delivering on the outlined agricultural ambition requires substantial investment, and the lack of a clear signal on the CAP budget is deeply concerning," he added.
