In a meeting with European Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, MEP Maria Walsh called for increased support for Irish farmers dealing with the plague of animal disease.
MEP Maria Walsh met with Várhelyi, the Hungarian Commissioner responsible for health and animal welfare, in Strasbourg this week to discuss the concerns of Irish farmers, including animal disease and live animal transportation.
MEP Walsh is a full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee.
MEP Maria Walsh said:
“Animal diseases and bovine TB in particular continue to plague farms across the island of Ireland. I met with Commissioner Várhelyi to highlight this challenge and pushed for urgent action and financing from the European Commission.
“In the year to March 2025, there were 41,548 cases of bovine TB detected on Irish farms – an increase of over 11,600 on the previous 12 months. This comes with a hefty price tag; in 2021, direct costs of bovine TB were estimated at €105 million.
“To truly eradicate bovine TB in Ireland, we need cross-border cooperation and increased funding supports. I recently met with the Head Veterinarian of Northern Ireland, and urged Commissioner Várhelyi to increase cooperation with the UK Government on this issue. I also reiterated my calls for an updated EU animal disease strategy, and crucially lobbied for the budget to be re-introduced to combat TB.
“The transportation of live animals is a critical issue for Irish farmers at the moment. In order for our farmers and agricultural businesses to access the EU Single Market, we need sea exports to continue under the current rules. I raised the need to protect Ireland’s derogation for transport, stressing the unique challenges we face as an island nation – which I believe the Commissioner understands.
“Finally, next week’s EU-UK Summit is a pivotal moment for the Irish agricultural sector, and I stressed that the Commission must use the opportunity to ensure farmers and businesses thrive across the Island of Ireland.”
