The European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) has criticised the European Commission's proposals for the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

CEJA described the commission's approach to the proposals as "chaotic" and "improvisational".

The young farmers group believes that "contradicting declarations" from college members, important delays in accessing the proposals, and "incoherent" figures are not what young farmers expect from their institutions.

According to CEJA, despite announcements that the earmarked budget would double from 3% to 6% in the new CAP proposals, the texts published did not have any minimum financial ambition dedicated to young farmers.

CEJA said that weeks out from the release of a strategy for generational renewal, Europe's young farmers want to express their anger and disappointment at this "major historical setback".

CEJA president, Peter Meedendorp has welcomed the importance given to young farmers and their needs in the proposals, but said the absence of an earmarked budget brings young farmers "back 25 years in time".

Meedendorp said: "We reject the notion of aspirational targets because we know from experience what happens in the absence of minimum budget allocation.

"These decisions are not only about spending envelopes; they are about giving the right signals to the next generations and telling them that there is a future in and for the agricultural sector,” the CEJA president added.

CEJA noted that it has always defended the European community and its values, and made them a reality on the ground.

However, the group said it "deplores" that the EU budget methodology was prepared in a "rushed manner", and that it can "only break the trust" that young farmers place in the EU.

The young farmers organisation has demanded that the EU Commission make transparent the process which has led to the deletion of the "ring fencing" for young farmers and clarify its intentions.

It outlined that providing tools to young farmers without any "clear guarantee" of delivery is not enough of a signal, and that it is "high time" that the European Commission "align words with actions".