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European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Opening speech by Commissioner Hansen at the DG AGRI and the European Investment Bank (EIB) event 'Boosting generational renewal in EU agriculture – improving access to finance for young farmers' Warsaw, 18 June 2026 Minister Krajewski, Vice-President Vigliotti, Representatives of the European Investment Bank, Dear young farmers, bankers, policymakers and all thos...
European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Opening speech by Commissioner Hansen at the DG AGRI and the European Investment Bank (EIB) event 'Boosting generational renewal in EU agriculture – improving access to finance for young farmers' Warsaw, 18 June 2026 Minister Krajewski, Vice-President Vigliotti, Representatives of the European Investment Bank, Dear young farmers, bankers, policymakers and all those helping shape Europe's future, It is a pleasure to be with you today. After welcoming many of you in Brussels in March, I am delighted to join you here in Warsaw. And it is no coincidence that we are meeting in Poland . More than 21% of Polish farmers are under the age of 40, nearly double of the EU average. And 25% young farmers in Europe is Polish. This is a success from which we can all learn. These dialogues are indeed crucial to device new pathways - ensure that every young farmer across Europe has the means to invest , innovate and build viable businesses. And guarantee that the needs of young farmers will be sufficiently backed up, in the coming National and Regional Partnership Plans and National Strategies for generation renewal in agriculture. European agriculture operates in an increasingly complex environment, from m arket volatility to climate change and rising production costs. In spite of these vulnerabilities, young farmers remain risk-takers in our farming community. But when they invest, it is not for three or five but for ten, twenty or even thirty years. And they need us to match this reality so to invest with confidence and receive the support to turn their ambition into reality. This is why access to finance is at the heart of our agricultural agenda and a key pillar of the Generational Renewal Strategy adopted in October 2025. The figures speak for themselves. More than 4 out of 5 farms report significant increases in production costs. The financing gap affecting young farmers is now estimated at €14.2 billion. At the same time, the sector is evolving. The share of farms using bank financing has increased from 1 in 6 to nearly 1 in 4. The willingness to invest exists. The business spirit exists. But access to finance has not kept pace. More than 1 loan application out of 2 submitted by young farmers is refused. This is not only a challenge for young farmers. It is a missed opportunity for Europe. The good news is that we know solutions exist . At European level, significant resources are already available to support investment in agriculture and rural areas. Under the current CAP Strategic Plans , financial instruments amount to around €1 billion. Under the last Rural Development Programmes), loans and guarantees - with EUR 447 million EAFRD contribution , - generated more than €2.1 billion in investments by the end of 2024. This demonstrates the strong leverage effect that financial instruments can create. And this is exactly the kind of leverage we need. Financial instruments can successfully mobilise additional investment for farmers and rural businesses while easing pressure on both European and national budgets. As Member States prepare their future National and Regional Partnership Plans, t he challenge is not simply to make finance available . It is to ensure that it is accessible , well targeted and adapted to the realities of farming. This means reaching those who face the greatest barriers to investment, particularly young farmers. It also means broadening the range of products available to support priorities such as sustainable agriculture, digitalisation, energy efficiency and innovation. Ultimately, financial instruments only deliver results when they are used strategically , structured effectively and reflecting in their implementation, the realities of the agricultural business cycle. This is why dialogue between farmers, bankers and managing authorities is so important. In Brussels in March, we came together to diagnose the challenges . Today, we are moving from dialogue to delivery. Together with the EIB, the EIF and fi-compass, we are launching a package of practical tools, including a catalogue of lending schemes and financial products across Europe, as well as a practical toolkit on business planning and loan applications. In the coming months, we will also launch an EU-wide survey on access to finance , helping Member States prepare future National and Regional Partnership Plans . And under the future CAP, we are proposing a dedicated Starter Pack for young farmers, complemented by opportunities under InvestEU and the future European Competitiveness Fund. Ultimately, what matters is impact on the ground. Whether a young farmer secures a loan. Whether a farm invests , modernises and grows . Whether a new generation sees a future in European agriculture. Together, we are turning good ideas into real opportunities. And together, we can build a stronger future for European agriculture. Thank you very much. SPEECH/26/1387
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