Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000263/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Maria Grapini (S&D)
In recent years, farmers have been faced with major disruptions caused by climate disasters, food market shocks due to the war in Ukraine and looming concerns over the EU-Mercosur trade agreement. One significant upshot of all these factors is that it has become increasingly difficult for farmers to access financing as the agricultural sector is subject to increased risks and farmers are facing liquidity problems after having to deal with the repeated disruptions. This problem is all the more acute in the case of young farmers, who are viewed as having an even higher risk profile due to their supposed lack of experience, making them two to three times more likely to be rejected by credit providers.
Bearing this situation in mind, could the Commission answer the following questions:
- 1.What measures does it plan to take to lower the risk profile of young farmers, thus increasing the chances that their applications for credit will be approved, and at lower interest rates?
- 2.Has it considered creating financial instruments for agricultural credit providers to encourage them to agree to loans for young farmers and to reduce interest rates on these loans through schemes such as the provision of debt guarantees?
Submitted: 22.1.2025