{"id":2931,"date":"2026-04-08T14:29:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T13:29:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mariawalsh.eu\/?p=2931"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:29:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T13:29:24","slug":"european-parliament-backs-e12-billion-increase-for-agriculture-research-under-horizon-europe-mep-maria-walsh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mariawalsh.eu\/ga\/european-parliament-backs-e12-billion-increase-for-agriculture-research-under-horizon-europe-mep-maria-walsh\/","title":{"rendered":"European Parliament backs \u20ac12 billion increase for agriculture research under Horizon Europe – MEP Maria Walsh"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The European Parliament\u2019s Agriculture Committee has voted for a \u20ac12 billion funding increase for agricultural research within Horizon Europe, following proposals from MEP Maria Walsh. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh, the European People\u2019s Party (EPP) lead negotiator on the Agriculture Committee\u2019s opinion for the 2028\u20132034 Horizon Europe programme, has highlighted the impact of the decision for Irish agriculture and rural innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Horizon Europe is the EU\u2019s 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 \u20ac175 billion for the period 2028-2034. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maria Walsh MEP, a full member of the European Parliament\u2019s Agriculture Committee, said:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs 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\u2019s vote is a major step towards achieving this. The Agriculture Committee is calling for the minimum budget allocation for agri-research to rise from \u20ac19.5 billion to \u20ac31.5 billion, with at least 50% ringfenced for agriculture, food and food security – a proposal I put forward and am proud to see supported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIreland has a strong track record in securing Horizon funding from the EU, with over \u20ac1.2 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of Irish-led Horizon projects include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n