Gender equality in farming must be a core objective of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh has said.
MEP Walsh is a full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee and recently submitted proposals to the CAP for the 2028 – 2034 period. The proposals put gender equality at the heart of the new CAP, while also prioritising farmers’ mental health and rural development funding.
As lead negotiator for Generational Renewal in the Parliament, MEP Walsh has also called for ringfenced 10% funding for young farmers and secure pension schemes for those at the end of their careers.
MEP Maria Walsh said:
“Equality for women within the next CAP cannot be an afterthought, it must be front and centre of the current negotiations. Improving the participation of women in agriculture and the wider rural economy must be a specific objective of the new CAP – as I have called for in my proposals.
“In order to achieve this objective, each national government should assess the situation of women in farming and address the specific challenges faced on the ground – including here in Ireland. I have called for the inclusion of practical supports for female farmers to help address the challenges, such as advice on business management, access to land and finance, participation in innovation and knowledge networks, succession planning and equal access to public support.
“Creating a truly gender-equal CAP also requires providing for times of leave, in particular for maternity leave. One of my key proposals calls for all governments to provide support for farm relief services, allowing farmers to take time off for sickness, mental health, childbearing, maternity and paternity leave, caring responsibilities for children and other family members, holidays and other significant life events.
“In addition to supporting female farmers, protecting our rural communities is one of my key priorities. LEADER programmes are a lifeline right across rural Ireland yet their funding is currently at risk. As part of my amendments to the new CAP, I have called for LEADER funding to be mandatory in all EU countries, with a minimum financial allocation of at least 5% of the total CAP budget dedicated to rural development.
“Negotiations on the new CAP will now continue, with the end result determining the future of Irish agriculture and our rural communities into the next decade. The battle ahead of me and other colleagues is not to be underestimated, but I will continue fighting for the future of our agricultural sector and of rural Ireland over the coming months. ”