European Commission priorities for 2025 commit to CAP simplification – MEP Maria Walsh

The European Commission’s commitment to CAP simplification measures will be welcomed by Irish farmers, but the devil is in the detail, MEP Maria Walsh has said. The European Commission unveiled its 2025 Work Programme in Strasbourg today, and includes 51 new initiatives and lists 37 laws and programs that are up for review over the […]
MEP Maria Walsh appointed as lead for EU-UK issues on Agriculture Committee

MEP Maria Walsh has been appointed as the standing rapporteur for UK matters on the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. In this role, MEP Walsh will steer discussions and policy on issues affecting relations between the EU and United Kingdom. The role will include engaging with agriculture stakeholders, scrutinizing the impact of shifting […]
Commission must clarify details of €1 billion Mercosur support fund for farmers – MEP Maria Walsh

The European Commission must outline how the proposed €1 billion Mercosur ‘safety net’ fund will help Irish farmers in practice, MEP Maria Walsh has said. MEP Walsh raised the issue of support for farmers at a meeting of the European Parliament Agriculture Committee with Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and Christophe Hansen, […]
MEP Maria Walsh welcomes European Agriculture Commissioner for event on future of Irish farming

MEP Maria Walsh welcomed European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen to Dublin today for an event with Irish farmers on the key issues facing the agriculture sector. Commissioner Hansen and MEP Walsh met with industry stakeholders, including young farmers, to discuss a range of topics including generational renewal, mental health and sustainability, among other key […]
EU Budget must increase funding to combat animal disease outbreaks – MEP Maria Walsh

MEP Maria Walsh has called for the 2026 EU Budget to include increased funding to address the ongoing threat of animal diseases, given their impact on farmers’ income and continuity. MEP Walsh, full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, submitted amendments in the European Parliament this week pushing for more ambitious funding for small […]
New EU expert group on livestock needed to tackle sectoral challenges

The European Commission must establish a High-Level Group on Sustainable Livestock in response to the challenges facing livestock farmers across the EU and in particular in Ireland, MEP Maria Walsh has said. MEP Walsh, full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, has asked the Commission to prioritise the formation of a livestock group […]
Opinion: We desperately need to improve farm succession and avoid a food crisis – and here is what the EU and the government can do

Opinion Article from MEP Maria Walsh, published in the Farming Independent The demographic crisis in the farming sector leaves us with one stark question: who’s going to grow the food we put on our plates? According to EU law, a young farmer is generally defined as being between 35 and 40 years old. Farmers under […]
MEP Walsh highlights plague of mental health in farming with European Commissioner for Agriculture

The epidemic of mental health problems amongst farmers must act as a wake-up call for EU policy makers, MEP Maria Walsh said in a meeting with the European Commissioner for Agriculture. MEP Walsh is a member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee and used the meeting with Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen as an opportunity […]
MEP Maria Walsh hosts young farmers in Brussels for EU-wide conference

A delegation of farmers from across Ireland travelled to Brussels to attend the European People’s Party (EPP) European Congress of Young Farmers and contribute to the future of EU agricultural policy. The group, hosted by MEP Maria Walsh, will attend the EPP European Congress of Young Farmers, taking place in Brussels today. The Congress brings […]
Plague of TB a modern day reality for many Irish farmers – MEP Maria Walsh

The EU must support Irish efforts to achieve the eradication of TB. The European Commission must support Irish efforts to achieve TB-free status over the coming years to protect the economic viability and international reputation of our agricultural sector, MEP Maria Walsh has said. Ahead of a debate on animal health in the European Parliament […]