EU policymakers and legislators have been urged to "seize the opportunities" in the EU's new Vision for Agriculture and Food in order to create a "transformative push for the sector".

However, CEJA, the group representing young farmers in the EU, said the vision "will face a harsh reality check" if proper financial means are not brought forward to make it happen.

CEJA said the vision document was as "ambitious and unprecedented toolbox for young farmers".

The group said that the vision "should make the profession more attractive while enabling the conditions for EU agriculture to reach its mid-century objectives in terms of competitiveness, climate neutrality and social inclusion".

Peter Meedendorp, the president of CEJA, said: "For several decades now, we have encouraged the EU and member states to adopt a toolbox approach to our sector.

"The ambition is there and we remain committed to it, but one can wonder how to make it work in reality, especially when looking at last week's announcements on the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). If we want to push for a more solid continuum between our agriculture, climate objectives and trade realities, then we must match the appropriate means," Meedendorp said.

Meedendorp said he is concerned that the Vision for Agriculture and Food will "face a harsh reality check".

CEJA said the stance taken by the commission on the upcoming Strategy on Generational Renewal, specifically on the topic of land access, mobility and use, is "innovative".

As well as that, CEJA noted the attention given to socio-economic resilience; risk and crisis management; "new perspectives" on the future of CAP; and a broader attitude towards investment.

CEJA said that, "all-in-all" the vision contributes to placing agriculture in its "right place again, as a contributor to the security, competiveness and innovation agenda of the EU".

However, the young farmer group said it would have liked to see a more specific strategy for certain objectives.

"When it comes to environment and climate, while the contribution expected from farmers remains clear, and the shared responsibility with member states is acknowledged, there will need to be further discussions to determine how to adapt the tools to the different territorial challenges on the continent, while maintaining a necessary degree of accountability," CEJA said.

The group said it is still unclear at the farm level what is expected by young farmers.

CEJA said it remains committed to a constructive approach and is ready to design and implement the steps necessary to make the Vision for Agriculture "come to life".

"Young farmers will make sure to keep the European Commission accountable for its ambitions, as they will define, for a large part, their living and working conditions in the future, as well as their own ambitions," the group said.