The European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee has voted for a €12 billion funding increase for agricultural research within Horizon Europe, following proposals from MEP Maria Walsh.
Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh, the European People’s Party (EPP) lead negotiator on the Agriculture Committee’s opinion for the 2028–2034 Horizon Europe programme, has highlighted the impact of the decision for Irish agriculture and rural innovation.
Horizon Europe is the EU’s flagship programme for research and innovation and is a major source of funding for Irish universities, research centres, agri-innovation projects and rural development. The proposed budget for the next programme period is almost double that of the current cycle, increasing to a total of €175 billion for the period 2028-2034.
Maria Walsh MEP, a full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, said:
“As one of the key negotiators on Horizon Europe, my priority has always been to increase the funding available to Irish farmers and our fisheries sector. Today’s vote is a major step towards achieving this. The Agriculture Committee is calling for the minimum budget allocation for agri-research to rise from €19.5 billion to €31.5 billion, with at least 50% ringfenced for agriculture, food and food security – a proposal I put forward and am proud to see supported.
“Our focus must be on making research relevant to the lives and business of farmers. Many of the challenges faced by the Irish agricultural sector can be solved before they are ever encountered on a farm, if we directly involve farmers in Horizon. My proposals ensure Horizon Europe supports food security, young farmers and a multi-actor approach that actually engages farmers in research and innovation.
“The fisheries sector has long been overlooked within Horizon Europe – and I wanted to use my position as EPP negotiator to correct this historical wrong. I submitted a proposal which called for fisheries to be included within Horizon funding; the only MEP to do so and I am happy to see this sector now within the final text.
“Ireland has a strong track record in securing Horizon funding from the EU, with over €1.2 billion going to Irish organisations in the last programme period alone. Irish researchers, farmers, SMEs and rural innovators must have the best possible opportunities available to them to tap into this funding. A key priority of mine will continue to be simplifying access to funds – in particular for small businesses and farmers.”
Examples of Irish-led Horizon projects include:
- SafeHabitus (€4.7 million), coordinated by Teagasc, supporting farm safety and mental health.
- FLIARA (€3 million), led by the University of Galway, promoting female-led innovation in agriculture.
- Grass Ceiling (€2.9 million), coordinated by South East Technological University, advancing gender equality in rural areas.
- Paludiculture large-scale demonstration (€10 million), led by the University of Galway, focusing on water and peatland management to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Water management platform (€6 million), coordinated by University College Cork.