The European Commission today released a new plan for the agricultural sector which includes a strategy for generational renewal, as called for by MEP Maria Walsh, to be delivered this year.
The Vision for Agriculture and Food includes several of MEP Walsh’s agriculture priorities including a new platform for women in farming, a work stream for livestock and specific reference to farmers’ mental health – marking a step-change in the EU’s approach to this issue.
The document, which will have a range of impacts on the lives and livelihoods of Irish farmers, includes a mention of Ireland and the work done by Teagasc on mental health. This is the only reference to a specific EU member state throughout the document.
MEP Walsh has, however, criticised the lack of clarity provided within the plan on the CAP budget and is calling on the Commission to guarantee that it will be protected amongst mounting geopolitical pressures and financial demands.
MEP Maria Walsh, full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, said:
“After many conversations with Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen, I am delighted to see the issue of generational renewal receiving the attention it urgently needs. Today’s Vision for Agriculture commits to the delivery of a Generational Renewal Strategy in 2025 which will provide policies to be implemented at EU, national and regional levels.
“Given that only 7% of Irish farmers are under 35, and with the average age standing at 58 years old, this Strategy is crucial to the viability of the Irish agricultural sector into the years ahead. In time, the Parliament will prepare a report on the Strategy which I look forward to taking a leading role in working on.
“The Vision also commits to the establishment of a Women in Farming platform. I will be working with Commissioner Hansen to ensure this platform includes representatives from Ireland, and that it addresses the uphill battle that women have in accessing the same investment as their male counterparts.
“Action, which is long-overdue, is finally beginning on tackling the epidemic of mental health illness amongst farmers. For the first time in a strategy of this significance from the European Commission, mental health is acknowledged and I am particularly delighted to see the brilliant work of Teagasc in this area referenced. Ireland is the only EU country to receive a specific mention throughout the many pages of this document – highlighting our leadership position on the issue of farmers’ mental health.
“While the Vision for Agriculture contains many positives for Irish farmers, it has failed to deliver the details we require on the financial future of the sector. The points on income sound good in theory, but we require guarantees from the Commission that during a period of competing financial demands arising from geopolitical changes, the CAP Budget and farmers will not be sacrificed.
“Many questions still remain; what is the new CAP going to look like? What financial support will farmers receive? How are their environmental efforts going to be rewarded?
“Until farmers receive answers to these questions, I will continue to push both the Commission and Commissioner Hansen on the need to provide Irish farmers with meaningful support that makes a tangible difference to their lives.”
