Irish Government must protect agricultural sector amidst EU-US trade war – MEP Maria Walsh
As the Irish drinks industry looks set to be hit by US tariffs, the Government must prioritise the protection of our agri-food and drinks producers, MEP Maria Walsh has said. US President Donald Trump has today threatened a 200% tariff on alcohol products from the EU, including Irish whiskey. The US market currently accounts for […]
Op-Ed: The Mercosur Trade Deal is a risk for Irish farmers and standards
As the EU looks towards ratifying the Mercosur trade deal, significant concerns are growing, particularly among the many Irish farmers I meet and work with on a daily basis, writes Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh. They are concerned about competing with imported products that are cheaper and produced at lower standards, threatening the livelihoods of […]
New EU agriculture plan commits to delivery of Generational Renewal Strategy in 2025 – MEP Maria Walsh
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 […]
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 […]
