European Parliament votes to strengthen Mercosur safeguards for Irish farmers – MEP Maria Walsh
The European Parliament has voted to strengthen safeguards for Irish farmers under the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, MEP Maria Walsh has said. MEP Walsh proposed a number of measures to be included which strengthens protections for Irish farmers, ensuring that any safeguards are activated quickly when market pressures arise. Under the newly adopted rules, the European […]
EU-India deal unlocks major new export market for Irish sheep farmers – MEP Maria Walsh
The EU-India trade deal will remove a 33% tariff on Irish sheepmeat exports, unlocking a major new market for Irish sheep farmers for the first time, MEP Maria Walsh has said. The sheepmeat sector in Ireland is worth €350 million annually, supporting more than 34,000 sheep farmers, and a further 2,000 jobs across processing and […]
European Parliament backs EU funding for safe abortion care – MEP Maria Walsh
The European Parliament today voted in favour of an initiative calling for EU financial support to facilitate safe and accessible abortion healthcare, a Fine Gael MEP has said. MEP Walsh, a full member of the European Parliament’s Gender Equality Committee, was closely involved in the parliamentary work on the My Voice My Choice initiative, which […]
Irish Government must outright reject Mercosur Trade Agreement – MEP Maria Walsh
Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh has called on the Irish Government to outright reject the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement ahead of a potential final vote on the deal later this week. MEP Walsh, a full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, has long opposed the Mercosur deal given its potentially catastrophic impact on Irish farmers, […]
Extension of derogation is welcome but preparations needed now for post-2028 – MEP Maria Walsh
The continuation of Ireland’s nitrates derogation is welcome, necessary, and a direct result of hard work by Irish farmers and political negotiators, MEP Maria Walsh has said. MEP Walsh, a full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, has consistently lobbied for the extension of Ireland’s nitrates derogation and has engaged with Commissioner Roswall in […]
All EU countries must now recognise same-sex marriages – MEP Maria Walsh
A landmark ruling from the European Court of Justice mandates all EU countries to recognise the marriage of same-sex couples, a Fine Gael MEP has said. MEP Maria Walsh, who is Co-Chair of the European Parliament’s LGBTQI+ Intergroup, has hailed the ruling as a win for Irish LGBTQI+ families and their right to live, love […]
European Commission must investigate illegal sale of antibiotics in Brazil – Maria Walsh MEP
MEP Maria Walsh has requested the European Commission to conduct a thorough investigation into the reported illegal sale of antibiotics in Brazil and the implications for the EU-Mercosur Trade Agreement. Maria Walsh MEP, a full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, wrote to EU Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič today to highlight an investigation […]
Agriculture Committee votes to increase funding for female farmers and entrepreneurs – MEP Maria Walsh
The European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee has voted to increase funding for female farmers and entrepreneurs, as part of a report on which MEP Maria Walsh serves as a lead negotiator. Maria Walsh, who is a full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee and the lead negotiator for the EPP Group on the file, said […]
Commission must protect Irish fishing sector against proposed 70% mackerel quota cut – MEP Maria Walsh
Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh has written to the European Commission demanding that Ireland’s fishing quotas are not cut in the wake of a damning scientific report. The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), whose scientific advice is used by the EU to set fishing quotas, has recommended a 70% reduction in […]
MEP Maria Walsh organises meeting for Irish seafood sector with EU Fisheries Commissioner
MEP Maria Walsh facilitated a meeting between key members of the Irish fishing sector and the European Commissioner for Fisheries Costas Kadis in Brussels this week. Members of the Irish Seafood Alliance, including Fine Gael Senator Manus Boyle, met with Commissioner Kadis and MEP Walsh to discuss the ongoing challenges facing the Irish fishing sector. […]