Mayo's Maria Walsh appointed lead EU negotiator on generational renewal in farming

Mayo native and Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh has been appointed the European Parliament’s lead negotiator on generational renewal in farming, positioning her at the centre of upcoming EU negotiations on the future of agriculture.

A full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, MEP Walsh will spearhead talks on measures to attract and retain the next generation of farmers. Key priorities include increasing support for young and female farmers, expanding mental health resources, and addressing barriers to finance and land access.

“This is a huge honour,” said MEP Walsh. “As a young farmer from the West of Ireland, it is a privilege to lead this work among 720 MEPs. The average age of a farmer in Ireland is 58, and the number under 35 has halved in 20 years. My number one priority is clear: support for young farmers must increase, with real commitments, not just targets.”

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She highlighted the €14.1 billion EU financing gap faced by young farmers in 2022, noting that many are turned away by traditional banks. Walsh intends to push for dedicated EU funding and low-interest loans tailored specifically to young farmers.

Land access is another critical issue. Walsh suggested tax incentives for older farmers willing to lease or sell land, expanding the Land Mobility Service, and promoting cooperative farming models to reduce financial barriers.

She also called for mandatory CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) support for young farmers, following a recent EU Commission proposal to increase CAP funding for young farmers from 3 percent to 6 percent, which currently remains non-binding.

“The timing is significant,” Walsh said, “as these negotiations coincide with Ireland’s EU Presidency and wider CAP reform talks. This gives Ireland a real opportunity to lead. I look forward to working closely with Minister Martin Heydon, whose Generational Renewal Strategy is a first in the EU, to ensure Europe delivers for the next generation of farmers.”