Newcomers still thin on the ground
6 July 2001
Newcomers still thin on the ground
THE downward trend in the number of new entrants continued in France last year, reflecting the difficulty the government has in persuading young people to take up the challenge of farming.
According to latest statistics from the CNASEA, (National Centre for the Development of Agricultural Structures), a total of 6602 applications for installation grants were accepted in the whole of France last year.
That was almost 6% down on 1999.
Most assisted placements were made in Brittany with 709 installations, followed by the Midi-Pyrénées with 603 and the Pays de Loire with 557.
The average farm size for new entrants came to 43ha (106 acres), about 4% more than in 1999.
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