Maria WALSH

Policy topics Maria WALSH is active on

What Maria WALSH has said (34)

• 2025-06-11 “E-002340/2025 Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission Period poverty is first and foremost a gendered aspect of poverty 1 . The inability of women and girls to afford and access menstrual products, sanitation facilities and information could make them miss school or work and negatively impact their health. More than one fifth of the EU population lives at risk of poverty or social exclusion, with women being at higher risk than men, according to Eurostat (EU-SILC) 2 EU initiatives, such as the Council Recommendation on adequate minimum income ensuring active inclusion 3 , are addressing the challenge of poverty. The planned EU Anti-Poverty Strategy should aim at helping people’s access to the essential protections and services, along with addressing the root causes of poverty, addressing the multidimensional phenomenon of poverty and relating to gender equality challenges. The ambition is to have a systemic approach, looking at how all public policies can impact poverty. To feed into this reflection leading to the Strategy, a public consultation was launched in July 2025. Combating women’s poverty is also an objective set out in the Roadmap for Women’s Rights presented ahead of International Women’s day in March 2025 4 . Addressing menstrual health is crucial for achieving Social Development Goals on poverty, education, health and gender equality by 2030. The Roadmap for Women’s Rights 5 includes access to affordable menstrual hygiene products as a specific objective. Besides the adopted revision of the Value Added Tax Directive 6 , other concrete measures and actions to pursue the objectives of the Roadmap for Women’s Rights will be set out in the next Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030 in view of promoting the highest standards and protecting women’s physical and mental health and well-being. 1 This issue was also addressed in PQ E-1082/25. 2 Living conditions in Europe - poverty and social exclusion - Statistics Explained - Eurostat : https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Living_conditions_in_Europe__poverty_and_social_exclusion#:~:text=In%202024%2C%2093.3%20million%20people%20in%20the%20EU, women%20than%20for%20men%20%2821.9%25%20compared%20with%2020.0%25%29. 3 Council Recommendation 2023/C 41/01 of 30 January 2023 on adequate minimum income ensuring active inclusion (OJ C 41, 3.2.2023, p. 1). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legalcontent/EN/TXT/?uri=oj:JOC_2023_041_R_0001. 4 https://commission.europa.eu/news/eu-roadmap-womens-rights-renewed-push-gender-equality-2025-03-07_en 5 Annex to the Roadmap on Women’s Rights - Declaration of principles for a gender-equal society | European Commission: https://commission.europa.eu/document/7d965089-e332-473a-88a9-e246f214e3bf_en. 6 Council Directive (EU) 2022/542 of 5 April 2022 amending Directives 2006/112/EC and (EU) 2020/285 as regards rates of value added tax, OJ L 107, 6.4.2022, p. 1. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/542/oj/eng.”
  EU competences on health · Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• 2025-01-15 “E-000135/2025 Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission For the eradication of important diseases such as bovine tuberculosis, the Commission has put in place specific rules, notably Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 1 that together with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 2 covers all aspects to eradicate it. The EU rules are based, inter alia, on scientific advice provided by the European Food Safety Authority, on decades of experience eradicating it and on the international standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health. Member States that are not yet free from the disease, must have in place an appropriate eradication programme approved by the Commission which must comply with the criteria set in those rules and the competent authorities need to implement it until eradication. This legislation also applies to and in the United Kingdom (UK) in respect of Northern Ireland (NI) in accordance with the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. Both Ireland and the UK (NI) have an approved programme 3 . Bovine tuberculosis outbreaks must be dealt with in line with those programmes, under the responsibility of the competent authorities in Ireland and in the UK in respect of NI to progress towards eradication, including at border areas. EU funding of veterinary measures for bovine tuberculosis eradication is not envisaged for the years 2025 to 2027 as financial resources are allocated to the control and eradication of other major priority animal diseases. Preventive measures can be supported financially through Member State Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plans 4 , if programmed, including risk management and improved on-farm biosecurity investments. Funding of veterinary measures in the UK (NI) with EU funds or CAP support is not possible under the provisions of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. 1 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/689 of 17 December 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards rules for surveillance, eradication programmes, and disease-free status for certain listed and emerging diseases. 2 Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’). 3 Reference: Annex II, Part II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/620. 4 Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans) and financed by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013, OJ L436, 6.12.2021, p.1.”
  Animal diseases prevention and management in the EU · Agricultural funding
• “And again, it taps into what the main headline is today. We have a huge untapped potential that we simply cannot afford to leave behind and continue to ignore for another generation. Coming from a farming background myself, one of the most west peripheries of our European Union, I know firsthand the many women that have been working hard in these communities, and I just want to acknowledge the commission who spoke of two projects flora and grass ceilings, led by two Irish phenomenal women, um, and and their cohorts, who are driving change at a very grassroots level. And we need to ensure that the next MFF certainly funds the continuation of such work for them. Um, it's a great time today to have this discussion because, uh, later today we'll vote on, um, the agri opinion on women's entrepreneurship in rural area islands and outermost regions. And this report certainly captures the the many barriers that were mentioned today. And I want to thank the rapporteur for her good work on this and really hope that we can deliver on this in the next cap and build this momentum, uh, that we can recognize gender equality as a very key objective for this, uh, committee as well as this Parliament.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• “Certainly something that you will definitely see in my draft and higher national cofinancing rates in Luxembourg. These measures are essential parts of a broader policy mix that would make farming a more economically viable, secure and, dare I say, attractive career choice for many. And we need a proper exchange of best practices on the effective policies that are implemented in various member states. The study also reflects a limited uptake of tools that facilitate farm succession, which could be linked to financial uncertainty, a lack of guidance on legal and administrative processes, and, even more importantly, a lack of open communication around succession. Again, I can only speak with the knowledge that I know of my own member state. We're simply just not having those conversations around succession. Um, and then a farm lands into probate and then it's caught up and often going to the higher bidder coming from outside of the community versus a young farmer renting it or buying it and growing their own their own innovative farm. We need to normalize the discussions around succession. Embed them within our policy framework and support farm succession through integrated advisory services, and assist older and younger generations. Um, and the, the study further confirms that women remain underrepresented in farming support schemes.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “The commission's decision to fine Google sends a powerful message. Europe is not afraid to stand up to big tech. But while Google now feels the force of EU rules, many other platforms continue to violate them with little to no consequences. Nowhere is that failure more damaging than in the treatment of women online. On paper, EU laws protect women and girls in digital spaces. In practice, they are falling short. Deepfakes in particular are causing real harm. Manipulated images or videos that often place an innocent person's face onto someone else's body in sexually explicit scenes, with women and young girls making up 99% of the victim. They are designed to humiliate, control, and dehumanize. And they spread across the internet, often hosted and shared without any responsibility. The commission must now show the same courage it demonstrated in holding Google to account, and apply that to protecting women online. We need real consequences for platforms that host deepfakes and and clear responsibilities for those who create and distribute this content. Europe has led the way on digital regulation. Now we must lead the way on digital justice. Thank you.”
  Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content
• “Thank you very much. And first, let me just say thanks to to all the speakers for joining us today. And, um, to Terra and Eleanor for sharing your lived experience. Um, lived experience is the most powerful. Sadly, women have a lot of it. Um, and I often think we need it's not this room we need to convince its people out there. And I just wanted from an Irish perspective to acknowledge and thank the work of Ellen, who joined us online. I would love to hear your thoughts. And I have two concrete questions. Um, one was, uh, given the alarming rise of AI enabled undressing apps as highlighted in the, uh, Lego case, excuse my pronunciation. In Spain, where deepfake technology was used to generate non-consensual sexual images of teenage girls. How do you think, given your expertise, that the EU should ensure that online platforms, including app stores and websites, are held accountable for distribution and accessibility for such harmful tools? You shared some, but I'd love to to to get some more content on that. And the second is to add, uh, in light of the European Union Serious Crime Threat Assessment report, there's a warning that AI is accelerating in unbelievable Sophistication of criminal abuse. And with that in mind, considering the gaps identified in the directive on violence against women and many other directives. Actually, as our colleague had pointed out, what further legislative steps do you think should be taken to address this emerging form of image based sexual violence and very conscious. Um, as Ellen shared that it's a just over the 97 billion industry when you look at porn alone and what that amplifies. Thank you very much, chair.”
  Digital platforms liability for harmful and illegal content
• “Thank you very much. President. Commissioner. Farmers in Ireland are extremely worried about the prospect of additional tonnes of meat produced at lower costs and poorer environmental standards entering our EU in direct competition with local meat produced to the highest of European standards standards we set here for them as an island nation. Irish farmers know more than most how important trade is, especially in the current political landscape, and there can be no support without concrete answers to questions below. How do we protect the interests of our farmers and farmers and rural communities and ensure that farmers actually benefit from this trade deal. How do we guarantee that there is no unfair competition, and that our farmers are not left behind in the global market? And how do we ensure that farmers on both sides of the Atlantic meet the same environmental and quality standards? We must negotiate safeguards to ensure that Irish and European farming remains competitive, resilient and fair. The farmers deserve it. Thank you very much.”
  Trade relations with Mercosur
• “Thank you, chair, and thank you, Commissioner, for for joining us again today. Um, I'd like to take the opportunity to raise with you the findings of a recent investigation, which uncovered a telegram group of nearly a thousand men from around the world sharing step by step instructions on how to drug and rape their partners. In addition to this, last week, AI forensics reported that telegram is a hub for AI generated content depicting non-consensual abuse material. You mentioned mapping of rape legislation. You mentioned tackling online gender based violence. And to save time, I wanted to ask you, how do we align these longer term plans with urgency of what is happening right now? Waiting until 2027 to update legal mapping on rape or delaying action on platform accountability. Ultimately, we will have more and more victims of unprotected in the meantime. Um, we know it's happening. We know it's becoming more sinister and widespread and much more easily facilitated online. Um, in addition to that, it should. My question is also, we should not be moving. We should be moving faster towards a clear legislation. And I hope you would rely on MEPs in this House to put pressure on member states, because if we can't deliver it here and they're not delivering there, ultimately we have more victims. Thank you very much.”
  Regulation of pornography in the EU
• “Uh, but we have to go further, of course, and expand targeted support for female farmers and those working in the agriculture sector. Um, we've made so much great progress, um, in terms of the ring fence funding for women in the last cap. But if you speak to women and again, as we again re-echo the contributions from people today, particularly in Josephine's remarks, uh, we we still haven't captured enough and given enough so that they can thrive and survive in the most rural parts of our, um, I'm conscious these discussions are done in rooms like like minded people like today, and we need to really target and work on member states, particularly our Minister of Finance and Minister for agriculture and our commission, to make sure we're putting our money where our mouth is on this. I also want to acknowledge, just in my last words, just to I look really look forward to seeing the women in farming platform get up and running, as proposed by Commissioner Hansen in the vision for agriculture and the work of this platform, feeding into policy and actually making change on the ground. Thank you again, chair, for adopting the agenda. I appreciate it.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Every day, like you, I read another story of a child harmed by by the online world. Another statistic, another life changed. And when children are on platforms they're not supposed to be on, harm only increases. Today, the European Commission has preliminarily found that meta may be in breach of the Digital Services Act for failing to properly prevent minors from accessing platforms like Facebook and Instagram. This absolutely matters because when age safeguards fail, children are exposed earlier, longer and more intensely to environments where cyberbullying thrives. Algorithms amplify harmful content, and abuse spreads faster than it can be contained. I am proud that Ireland has taken action that targeted laws and cyber bullying since Coco's Law was introduced. We've seen over 400 charges in summons issued. That shows progress. It shows accountability can work. But one country acting alone is simply not enough. We need an EU wide legislation that holds both perpetrators and platforms accountable real enforcement, clear rules and real consequences. We need to do this for the mother called Jackie Fox. And of course, we owe it to Nicole Coco Fox. Thank you very, very much.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• “Commissioner. Colleagues. The W.H.O. reports that in Europe, 1 in 7 children and our young persons under 19 is currently living with the mental health condition. Among teenage girls, the figure rises to 1 in 4. The W.H.O. explicitly identifies online environments as a contributing factor to this growing crisis. But these are not just numbers. These are children in our classrooms, in our sports fields, in beds, lying awake with their phones lighting up. Children are growing up online and we know that online platforms are failing them. Every day we read the headlines and hear another story of relentless online abuse. Many of you will know of Coco's Law, named after Nicole Coco Fox, a young Irish girl who was bullied in person and online for over three years. After her tragic death, her mother Jackie, refused to let that suffering be ignored. She turned grief into action And because of her tragedy, we now have legislation that treats online abuse for what it is serious harm. So, Commissioner, I welcome the Commission's new action plan against cyberbullying. I welcome its focus on vulnerable young people. All of this matters. But this plan must become a strategy with teeth. We need binding rules, clear enforcement. And above all, we need to have the commission work with this House to finally criminalise cyberbullying across our EU. Cyberbullying kills, and we have a responsibility to make sure we do everything in our power to prevent more tragedies and to protect the mental health of our young people. Thank you very much.”
  Safety features & content control for child protection online
• “You know, there's one thing I agree with on the right side of the house today, and that is this directive should not be something we are still debating in this House in 2025. I've had countless conversations, both in this chamber and beyond, about this directive, and too often those conversations are clouded by confusion and misinformation. And this is where I'll leave the right to themselves. So let's be absolutely clear on what this means. This directive is about ensuring an EU where every person can rely on fair and equal treatment. But for some, that vision seems too woke to left. Our moral arguments alone are not getting us over the line. So let me speak about economics because we know money talks. If we pass the Equal Treatment Directive, the full elimination of discrimination could generate between 450 and 500 billion in An additional GDP and tax revenue. In just five years alone, it is projected to sit around to benefit £1.23 billion, with positive impacts felt across all member states. Labour market participation would rise, productivity would grow, economies would strengthen, and health. Representation in this House would look a lot better than what the 450 million citizens that we represent. Now, because I can tell you this, we are not doing it, and we're not doing it justice. At a time when this union speaks endlessly about competitiveness, I ask you this how can we fail to see that equality is not a cost, it is a competitive advantage. This directive has been given a chance at rebirth this year thanks to my colleagues, and I am looking at the next Council presidency, including my own, to show leadership and pass it. We have delayed too long and we simply cannot afford to not implement this directive. Thank you very much.”
  EU policy on integration and ethnic, racial and religious discrimination
• “Thank you chair. First of all, I'd like to welcome Patrick from Ocra and acknowledge the great work from the organization done on behalf of many farmers in rural Ireland. The transitional period is exceptionally difficult, and the advice and support that you offer are fantastic. Um, specifically, uh, you're off the hook, Patrick, But I'm going to ask a question to, um, to Pierre from from EIB. Um, and picking up from my my colleague beside me here, um, as I already mentioned, EIB has announced its largest ever financial package for agriculture, 3 billion. Um, and I specifically want to know, uh, how much of that financing has gone to female farmers. Um, and you highlighted, uh, some aspects of first loans expected, uh, and what has gone through my, my colleague Jessica picked up on it, but the food production to Rico is incredibly important. Um, and we have farmers that are calling out for financing, for development of their sector and face walls. And I'd like to understand more of that. Thank you.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Thank you very much, chair, and thank you, Commissioner. Um, this year alone, over 600 projects across Ireland are benefiting from funding through the leader programme. And I acknowledge, as the chair kindly did, a number of representatives here from social enterprises. Their projects range widely, from agri tourism initiatives and agricultural shows to community centres and social enterprise, as well as farms. In recent months, many of these groups have reached out to me, concerned about the future of this programme, seeking clarity and reassurance that support will continue. And under the current draft proposal, member states are required to maintain the leader programme, but there is no dedicated ring fenced budget for it. Meanwhile, the legislation in place mandates a minimum 5% Percent allocation from rural development funds to leader. So I ask on their behalf, what concrete guarantees can we provide to these communities as they work? The work they do is absolutely crucial for sustaining the fabric of rural life, and it deserves reliable and ongoing support. Thank you very much.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• “Uh. Good morning. Don't worry. It's not all Irish on this report. Um, but first of all, let me just say a special thank you to our rapporteur MEP Billy Kelleher, and his team, notably Beth, for their work on getting this draft report together. Uh, gender inequalities in health is something I know. Members in this committee have been discussing and debating for many years. Um, something that always sticks in my mind, uh, both myself and my advisor, is that there's more studies into male baldness than there is in endometriosis. And whilst it always makes me laugh and disbelief, really, um, the reality is that a gender specific health condition is so widely understudied and misunderstood, which means it is then consequently underfunded. And we heard that from MEP Keller just now. And it's simply not good enough in today's, uh, quite competitive and growing world. Uh, this draft report provides a great place to start from, uh, what this file can address. I'm incredibly glad to see mentions of the stigma surrounding menopause. Uh, the knowledge gap surrounding endometriosis, the impact of cardiovascular health on men versus women, and the barriers that are often presented to the likes of our minority communities and specifically LGBTI plus in accessing healthcare. Um, and as a shadow for the EPP Group, I'll be submitting amendments that allow for the attention to be paid to the impact of period poverty. Um, and what that impact has on women and girls, the severity of mental health conditions for women and girls, um, and equally being balanced, the stigma surrounding continence care for men and the impact that underfunded and misinformed healthcare can have on the competitiveness agenda, especially in relation to female specific health conditions. We're looking forward to working with MEP Keller and other shadows to really capture everything that the 450 million citizens are deserving to see in this report. Thank you very much.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Much I want to highlight a recent investigation by the Irish Farmers Journal published over the last two weeks, which raises serious concerns about the regulatory requirements applied to South American farmers and the resulting of unfair competition with European producers. Many colleagues shared the same the investigation uncovered major gaps in the oversight of antibiotic sales and use in Brazilian beef production. It found there was no effective system to monitor antibiotic usage, no central animal identification database, and no obligation to identify or tag animals. And these shortcomings are not isolated incidents. Journalists travelled over 3000km across Brazil, visiting farms, marts and supply stores, and came again and again with many questions about why the products were needed and no transparency or good governance attached to it. And given these findings, how can the Commission ensure that existing and proposed legislation safeguards are truly sufficient to prevent this beef from entering the EU market and to protect our farmers? And just to reiterate the disappointment that this committee didn't have the same procedures as into. Thank you.”
  Import of agri-food products in the EU
• “Thank you. And thank you, commissioners and gentlemen. Um, I just want to raise two concerns. First. Uh, in recent weeks, I have spoken with leader program managers across the 15 counties of my constituency, which is essentially half of Ireland. Their concern is very clear. Under the current proposals, the leader program is no longer ring fenced and will have to compete with other priorities within the National Recovery Plan and without safeguards. There is a real risk that community led local development in our rural areas will be sidelined when it comes to spending money closer to the ground, and I think MEP Ressler pointed that out in his opening words. Can the commission clarify how it will prevent this, and whether it will introduce minimum funding thresholds to protect leader? Second is on fisheries. Ireland is a maritime member state, and our coastal and fishing communities are already under severe pressure from reduced quotas. Lasting impacts of Brexit and trade deals. Any further dilution of fisheries funding will be deeply damaging. And can the Commission explain how it justifies the reduction in fishery budget from 6 to 2 billion, and what concrete safeguards will be put in place to ensure the small coastal communities will not be eroded. And I think I have to say everybody is saying the same thing. The money is not adding up and after many hours I feel a little bit more disappointed in the responses because we can't tell EU citizens where how their money is going for. Thank you.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• “Thank you, chair. And thank you to all our guests today. Um, and to the teams who completed this study, um, which so clearly lays out the intentions of the directive, uh, and why it's still stuck at council and recommendations, recommendations for next steps. It's quite it's quite difficult to even say we're still talking about this, but, um, um, since my first mandate in 2019, like many colleagues here, uh, I've been a shadow rapporteur on this file. Therefore, I've spent quite a bit, uh, talking about it, educating myself on it, and interestingly, speaking to members of my constituency in Ireland and different institutions, trying to explain what the directive actually is. And I think all three, um, alluded and certainly, um, to the point made. Also, one of the most striking of those conversations was with the commission president, uh, last year, a discussion that started with the directive off the table. And then very quickly, it was put back on. Um, but an argument that dominates this discussion against the Directive's implementation is that it's too costly not to reiterate the question. Previous, uh, and a more recent addition to that argument, it runs against the competitiveness agenda. Um, and in other words, we can't focus on equality issues at this moment. Um, which is quite stark to say out loud. But your findings to me point in a very opposite direction. With the estimated 1.23 billion net benefit in the first five years, the directive, um, being implemented in up to 450,500 billion in additional GDP and tax revenue if discrimination is fully tackled. Um, not saying it will happen overnight, but certainly will happen, um, hopefully in all our lifetimes and certainly our children's. But my question to you as experts is how strong is the case that the Horizontal Equal Treatment Directive would not hurt the EU competitiveness agenda, but actually strengthen it? Because I think their conversation certainly I'll be having within my group. You mentioned education, of course. Can you elaborate on any of the other sectors that we can pull that information and dispel a lot of the nonsense that you're hearing, that this is not good enough to be passed? Thank you.”
  EU policy on integration and ethnic, racial and religious discrimination
• “Commissioner, in just a few days, we'll know what the commission's proposal for the next cap will look like. And I want to stress, like many colleagues here, how critical it is not to reduce our support to areas that depend on rural development funding. Let us take young farmers there struggling to enter farming and make a real living. Yet they're the ones that put food on our tables and will do so for decades to come. Let's take women despite their tremendous contribution to our rural areas. They continue to face challenges in accessing financing, land and training. And third, let’s take the leader program, their community led projects are essential for local development and rural employment but they see their funds being threatened. And I agree with what my colleague Mr. Buddha said earlier. Without proper funding and effective incentives for them, we risk turning our rural areas into museums. And we cannot afford to leave them behind and still expect a thriving rural economy. So let us help them. Let us show that being risk averse is not right now. Let us show them that we are there for them. Thank you. Commissioner.”
  Agricultural funding
• “You're very kind. Thank you very, very much. And congratulations on your new appointment. Even if it is for today. Um, I want to thank the policy department. Um, thank you for your incredible work. Um, it's. I think it's really important. Our reports are well documented, and then our reflective of the realities, diverse realities across our member states. So it was great to see all four pointed out. Um, a couple of points in particular stood out to me. Um, uh, the study shows that between 2010 and 2023, the number of firms declined by 26%, while the number of farmers under the age of 35 fell by 47%. And at the same time as we just heard. Uh, and if you look at the commission's generation renewal strategy, they set a target to double the share of young farmers by 2040 from 12% to 24%. And when you look at these figures in context, um, of the absence of a ring fence budget for young farmers, the ambition to reach such figures simply do not match. So we need a dedicated ring fenced allocation for generation renewal, or at least 6% um of the cap budget. And that's currently what we'll be working on for until May 11th. When you see our first draft working with our shadows on this, uh, this would send a very clear signal that agriculture is a strategic priority for the union and that young people have to be central to its future.”
  Agricultural funding
• “Thank you very much. And thank you, chair and the Secretariat, for adopting the schedule so we could run off and vote in, in particular in Femm from my side as the votes were tight. Um, I just want to thank all speakers and everybody in the room today and in particular give thanks to Josephine O'Neill, our president of Mokra, the organization representing young farmers and rural youth across Ireland. Um, I also want to acknowledge my my gender, mainstream and network colleague, MEP, singer who's just spoken for her collective action, uh, in, in in bringing this hearing and this conversation together. Um, you would have heard from so many of our, of our speakers today when we talk about generational renewal in European agriculture, we're not just talking about demographics. We're also talking about the future of rural areas, um, food security and the broader economic survival. Uh, and just to remind colleagues, uh, let's not forget, 83% of our EU is rural and 137 million hard working Europeans live there. Um, and across that, uh, is so many women, uh, women make up nearly one third of the agricultural workforce. You would have heard that again and again from our contributors today. In countries like my own, only 13% of farms are managed by a woman.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Uh, thank you very much. Um, I have no words. Um, to be honest with you, but I will, I will. But but out of great respect, there is one thing I will agree with. The previous speaker is. Men also should be included in some format, but we're sitting in the Gender Equality Committee and I don't know about you, but sadly, in this room, based on statistics alone, sadly, there is victims of rape in this room right now based on statistics. So let's be a little bit respectful to, to to the lived experience of, of many women, thousands of women to the point of this. Um, and I was listening to all, all speakers I've met, uh, with colleagues working on this. Um, I think it's an absolute shame that this couldn't be included in the previous mandate. Um, my colleague Francis Fitzgerald from from Ireland, I know, had worked very closely on behalf of the EPP Group. I understand we're in a different Parliament. However, I would really seek, um, the ultimate supports from colleagues here, uh, when going in this, uh, into these final negotiations. Ultimately, I fully believe particularly EU women will look at this body of work. As if we've done a benefit or we have declined, and this will be our biggest file that we in this, in this committee will have, and I hope, colleagues across all political persuasions, including my own, really respect the fact that 64.2 women per 100,000 were the victim of sexual assault.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “This has really disappointed two member states, Ireland and Spain in the last cap were the only two to actually add a dedicated ring fence. And I think it calls on all of us to make sure that next cap that's that's fixed. Um, you gave us the example of the Spanish example of 15% top up in income support for women is one of the only two targeted measures identified. And if we're really serious about generation renewal, we cannot overlook half of the available talent that we have in our member states. Strengthening women's participation in agriculture must become a very clear political and policy priority across all our groups and be supported by adequate funding. And finally, the study clearly demonstrates the central role of Cap in supporting young farmers across our member states. And this is precisely why the Cap has to be equipped with the right tools and level of ambition that matches the scale of the challenge and the dissatisfaction we have with young farmers in our European Union right now. And my very final point, I really welcome we are having this discussion at this stage, not only for the generation renewal discussion that we'll have when my first draft comes out, but also how it will feed into the next Common Agricultural Policy. Thank you.”
  Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “Thank you chair and thank you both for, for sharing such, uh, such knowledge and in depth of your, of your work on the development of EU wide guidelines under article four of pay transparency directive. Um, the guidelines presented here today are essential to strengthening enforcement of the principle of equal pay for equal work. I was one of the rapporteurs, the shadow rapporteur, I should say on pay transparency last mandate for the EPP group. And I strongly support the objective of pay transparency and of course, gender neutral job evaluation. It's quite frustrating that we haven't seen it in practice, to be honest with you. Um, across member states, um, and I'm very worried that news from some member states, um, are looking to challenge the implementation of this directive. And I think in particular Sweden and my own countries, my own country of Ireland, who are looking at a phased approach to the directive because they don't have necessary resources or toolkits available. Um, and I said very deeply concerning, um, considering three years have passed since directive was approved and the directive is incredibly important and it's not a nice to have, it's a need to have, um, and is required to strengthen the effectiveness of equal pay principle that has been in place for decades. And if we don't fix it now, we'll never fix it is my greatest is my greatest fear. So I ask you both how the Commission and I will make sure these guidelines actually help member states that are falling behind. And again, my own, um, I don't like to point fingers when, when, uh, when my own country is not doing, uh, it's, it's best to deliver this while also keeping the rules consistent across the EU and avoiding different approaches in different countries, because we'll end up having an imbalance, which is what we have now. Um, I'm getting back a little bit of time, chair. Um, but thank you very much.”
  Gender pay transparency
• “Of this story. I think I with the environment promoting agri food products. Strategic necesitatea promotion farmers of excellence in global benchmark and production recommendations. My attention is the first simplificator participants. Complexity remains bariere and organizations with application process, guidance procedures and targeted to help and organizations access opportunities, maximizând impact of emissions and exploring promotional tools that the Commission and to use that we should explore the agri food sector strategic communication companies, as well as market, and I think that the information and promotion of trade and health. Organization because of strategic Presence este esențial.”
  Export of EU agri-food products
• “Thank you chair. And I just want to thank from the outside, Bart, as a fantastic rapporteur on this and really looking forward, um, to, to future collaboration on this. Um, I just wanted to take colleagues through three horizon funded projects, each led by outstanding researchers and practitioners who share the ambition, much like our rapporteur, to do research that actively helps the farming sector. First was which supports female led innovation in rural areas and has built an inspiring network of farmers and academics across Europe. The second was Grass Ceiling Project, empowering women in rural areas through living labs in seven of our member states as well as Norway and Scotland. And finally, Safe Habitats Project, doing vital work on farmers mental health, which partners uh 13 member states addressing an issue that is too often invisible, yet absolutely fundamental to the sustainability of our sector. And from engaging these projects, three key lessons became very clear to me, and which we'll be leading myself. And as EPP shadow rapporteur on this file. The first was the urgent need for adequate and stable funding. And the rapporteur highlighted this. These initiatives demonstrate that when funding is available, research can deliver real, measurable impact on the ground, improving livelihoods, resilience and social cohesion.”
  Agricultural funding · Gender roles, equality and inclusion
• “(12:22:08 – 12:23:20): Thank you very much. I wish to make 2 points. 1 on leader funding and the second on generation renewal. For 35 years, we've heard many, colleagues, particularly my Irish colleagues, talk about the leader program, which has been investing in rural Ireland in our community centers, agriculture sector, and rural infrastructure. But now wherever I meet leader representatives, and there's been a few, they ask me the same question. Will this funding remain to continue in vital work? A question that has been asked several times today by many colleagues right across the 27 member states. And given that 30% of the EU's population lives in these rural areas with the figure reaching 35 in Ireland, LeaderNet needs ring fence funding to remain at least, at its current level. Secondly, and quickly, as the lead negotiation, negotiator on generation renewal, I welcome the the voice on, 4 young farmers, in it being addressed in this text, and I hope the final text will reflect my own position of 10% of the total cap budget ring fenced for these young farmers they so desperately need it. Thank you.”
  Cohesion and rural funding
• “There is no winner when it comes to tariffs between two of the world's largest economies. We've heard this repeatedly throughout this debate. Jobs are lost. Prices of goods go up. The cost of doing business goes up, and ultimately no one benefits from it. Not Americans, not Europeans. Neither consumers nor companies gain from what is going on. Giving up on trade relations is not the answer. When more than 4 billion worth of goods are crossing the Atlantic. In my own country of Ireland, particularly the west of Ireland, pharmaceutical products world leading Irish alcohol like whiskies and gins. Other agricultural products like butter and cheeses worth billions. Meet the demand for quality products of the American consumer. We now have an additional three weeks to reach an agreement with the US, and I hope that this delay is a signal that the Trump administration recognizes that economic growth stems not from isolation, but from well-functioning relationships with reliable trading partners. And I hope ourselves reform the single market, get better supports for our businesses and continue to grow the EU.”
  EU-US trade relations
• “(10:51:36 – 10:55:36): Thank you, chair. I appreciate that. First, let me just thank all the the shadow rapporteurs and and their colleagues, and those that, did catch the eye, for their valuable contributions. Many points I agree with. Many points are in this. I only wish I could have been a little bit more detailed, but our, hardworking secretariat really holds us to a word limit and page limit, so I couldn't go too far, and above. But, of course, like many colleagues here, we'll be tabling additional amendments to really support many, many of the points I initially made, and my team and I made in in the draft report, as you all have. To just break it down quickly to some of the points that have been stressed by many, I fully agree we need a strong and adequately funded cap, after 2027. I think the same goes for improving firm profitability. Just to to clarify for some colleagues who spoke that profitability wasn't mentioned, it was, it was also mentioned in my intervention that I just made, moments ago, because I understand for many farmers, this is the biggest barrier entering into the sector is the economic viability, and the clarity in able to progress their own enterprise, be it far be it their families or independently boss. They need a fair and predictable income, and we should not be surprised when young people, choose other careers over such because of the difficulty of stepping into this. This is closely linked to farmers position, of course, in the food supply chain. It also I I also intend to further strengthen provisions on active farmers and payment entitlements in my, additional amendments. Cap support should be targeted for those who genuinely farm the land, be it part or full time, produce food, or contribute to rural communities, not only, not those who simply hold land without any form of agriculture activity. I know from my own, neck of the woods in Ireland, the term entitlements is is quite broad, and we need it needs to be challenged, because this is particularly important when young farmers struggle to access both land and support. And we've heard this from colleagues, this morning. A young farmer, investing in a new barn, precision farming equipment, or sustainable production needs predictable policy framework. And while I wish to adjust and adapt the 7 year constraints that we have in the common agriculture policy, Unfortunately, I don't have the mandate to do that within a generation renewal any report. But I agree when I speak with farmers that constant changes in rules create uncertainty and discourage investment in long term investments because they do require long term policy consistency, and we always don't get that every 7 term, cap proposals. Finally, generation renewal cannot be achieved through agriculture alone, and I know this been pointed out by many colleagues. It really does require a broader vision for rural areas. And in particular, if they wanna stay or move to rural communities, have to have better access to housing, health care, education, digital connectivity as many colleagues there. And just to pick up what my green repertoire or my green colleague had shared around childcare, incredibly important, particularly for women who carry the burden on childcare predominantly in our EU. Finally, let me just say, if for any colleagues, whether you're a shadow rapporteur or not, if you wish to speak to me on amendments coming through, please do so. My adviser, Stefania, is also open for your teams to speak to. We ultimately wanna make sure we have a really strong document going forward and that we actually create better impact, in the common agriculture policy and in turn making our young people feel that they're seen, heard, and valued in our farming sector. Thank you very much.”
  Direct payments to farmers (pillar 1) · EU policy on farmer–buyer relations in the agri-food supply chain
• “This week we're voting on two reports that promise simplification and fairness, two things that our farmers desperately need and which in theory, we should all welcome. But the reality is far from simple and far too complicated. On one side, we hear about easing burdens, cutting some farm level checks. That sounds great. An absolute step forward. But on the other hand, we risk drowning our farmers and cooperatives in even more paperwork. And then there's the elephant in the room. The uncertainty about the future budget. Our farmers, especially our young farmers, are frustrated, disappointed, and downright scared. Questions I have been asked is, will there be a future for us in agriculture? Can we build our lives, support our families, and make a living out of the work? Can we really talk about simplification and fairness? If the cap budget shrinks and uncertainty grows? Commissioner, you know this world from the inside, and we all respect the enormous challenge you face along with other commissioners. But I stand here on behalf of the thousands of young farmers, particularly in Midlands, north West, where I come from, people whose lives depend on stable, sustainable European agriculture policy and funding that goes with. And I urge you and your colleagues to provide the predictability, the financial support and the clarity these farmers so desperately need because without stability, the ones already here will stop investing, and the ones dreaming of farming will turn away, afraid to take a leap in such an uncertain future. Thank you very much.”
  Agricultural funding
• “(10:07:30 – 10:13:20): Perfect. Thank you, chair. And apologies for being late. I was I'm a shadow rapporteur for a a health file, and we had a we a shadows meeting. And, unfortunately, in current states, not that I should use an excuse, I could not run. I'm really pleased to present this draft report at such a crucial moment, for us all, not just this committee, but also any committee that we're we're working across, as work on the next common agriculture policy is underway as we as we speak. I do so not only as a rapporteur, but as someone who grew up in a small livestock farm in the West Coast Of Ireland where my father combined farming with construction work to support our family and as someone who only last year completed a master's in ag extension and innovation, very much working with, generation renewal, as a core theme. And those experiences, as many colleagues would know, have given me, and themselves a very close understanding of both the realities facing farming families today and the challenges facing our next generation, that are we are asking and in some cases begging to take over. And when we look at the data, the reality is very concerning. The average age of farmers in the European Union is now 57. I would challenge that and say it's older, in many areas, my country included. Young farmers face a financing gap of about 14,000,000,000. The number of farm managers 35 has fallen by 47% over the last 15 years. And while young female farmers represent just 2% of all women in farming, These are not statistics. The they are reflected in what is happening on the ground right across the 27 member states. And they mean farms being sold because there is no successor, or there's financial burdens, that a young person simply cannot accept. And they mean young people with the skills and the motivation to farm being unable to access land or credit. And they mean rural communities losing families, businesses, and opportunities. And if we're serious about reversing this trend, we must match our ambitions with the necessary funding, and better policy. This is why my report calls for at least 10% of the next common agriculture policy budget to be dedicated specifically to supporting young farmers, not aspirational, not voluntary, but binding. And at the same time, we must tackle the 2 greatest barriers facing young farmers, access to land and access to finance. For many, the first challenge is simply getting started. And in many regions, the cost of buying or renting land has risen, as far far beyond what a young farmer can reasonably afford. This is why the report calls for the rapid authorization of the EU land observatory and stronger national measures to facilitate access to farmland. Finance is equally important as we all know. Too often young farmers with viable projects cannot secure the capital they need to turn their business, turn their ideas, I should say, into businesses. We therefore need tailored financial instruments, including low interest loans, guarantees, and effective risk management tools to help farmers navigate the growing market and climate volatility. But generation renewal is not only about supporting those entering in the sector, it's also about supporting, those who have spent a lifetime working in it. And across Europe, many older farmers would like to transfer their farms but face inadequate retirement options, legal complexity, or uncertainty about the future. And as a result, succession is delayed and opportunities for younger farmers are being lost. Farmers must be able to retire with dignity and financial security and better advisory services are needed to support succession plan and farm transfers. And many colleagues would have heard generation renew is not just about young people, It's about, cradle to grave as we say in Ireland. And if we want young people to choose farming, we must also recognize the hardships of daily life in farming sector, long hours, administrative burdens, financial security, climate pressures, of course, and enormous strain on farming families. That's why mental health support, farm relief services, and measures to improve work life balance must be formed, in our response. And we must also address the inequalities that women continue to face in agriculture and ensure that national strategies include concrete measures to support their participation and leadership. Successful farms also depend on thriving rural communities. Young people are far more likely to remain in a rural area when they can have access to services, health care, and economic opportunities. Ultimately, however, the success of generation renewal will depend on the fundamental question, can farming provide a fair and decent income? We've heard this from colleagues in this room again and again and again. Because if a farmer cannot earn a living from a farm, from farming, no policy objective written here will cons convince the next generation to enter the profession. And as a rapporteur, as I conclude here, I want this report to send a very strong message of head of the cap negotiations that this house is committed to supporting young farmers whether they're in Ireland, Bulgaria, Sweden, Italy, or anywhere else in the European Union. The decisions we take in the coming years will determine whether more family farms survive and continue into the next generation. And that's inclusive of the likes of leader program, which, as I said in the outset, touches the likes of our regi committee and many other committees. Thank you very much, and apologies for being late again. Yes. Sure. Sure. Thank you very much. And now, let's start with shadows. S and d, I”
  Agricultural funding
• “(10:57:23 – 11:00:58): Thank you very much, madam chair, and thank you so much to all the speakers. Unfortunately, I couldn't attend the first half an hour or I missed a few of you. But this is really an important topic. And I mean, also the security issue is also affecting geopolitics, I would say, very much. The IUU fishing outside of the Horn Of Africa fueled somehow the Al Shabaab movement once upon a time. So we really all gain if we can stop IUU fishing and especially here focusing also on fragile states and developing countries. But I heard Oceania, and I'm quite a little bit shocked by the message that came out there that 105 EU owned vessels are flagged to flags of convenience countries, yellow carded countries or tax havens and that 33 of them are authorized to export to the EU market. I don't know if the commission would like to comment on that, but this is, I think, totally unacceptable. And if Oceana can get that information, why can't the commission get that information? So maybe that's a question to Oceana as well. In 2017, we adopted the regulation, the sustainable management of external fleets, which should be kind of giving the responsibility to member states to make sure that all EU vessels operating outside of EU waters should be known to the member states, should be authorized. And somehow yes, I would like to have a comment. How has the SMF regulation worked in practice? And as far as I remember, it's only about the EU flagged vessels and not the other ones that are flagged to countries which provide flags of convenience. So maybe give us the answer. How can we make sure that EU vessels are not going with flags of convenience and create these loopholes? To Interpol, I mean and Oceania, everyone is pointing to the problem of flags of convenience and also the beneficial ownership thing, which is also linked to tax havens. So in my mind, the EU needs to work really hard to convince these countries that provide flags of convenience to stop doing it. So this is really an open question. How can we do that? And why isn't this prioritized? Because it can lead to distrust in the EU if we say very beautiful words. And then the EU vessels flagged under flags of convenience are behaving in a totally unacceptable way and even contributing to Al Shabaab and these types of criminal groups that feed on distrust. Thank you.”
  Environmental regulation of fisheries
• “Vice president, findings from the European Institute for Gender Equality, show us that women face higher risk of poverty than men in the EU. And as we recently discussed in the Femm Committee, central to this poverty hold is the gender pay and pension gap. In 2026, the women across the EU still earn less than men for the exact same work and over a course of a woman's lifetime, the results in lower pensions mean less financial security and choice. For instance, in my member state of Ireland, women earn on average 9.6 less per hour than men. And research also shows that the average pension pot for Irish women is roughly 31% less for women compared to men, meaning women retire with substantially lower retirement savings and yet are living longer. The EU anti-poverty strategy must tackle this head on. We need transparency in pay. Stronger enforcement of equal pay laws and policies that support women in the workforce, including those in part time or care work, which is often unrecognized and unpaid. Closing these gaps is not just about fairness. It's also ensuring economic security and dignity fairness for millions of women across our EU. And if we are serious about reducing poverty, we need to pay close attention to poverty among women, especially these issues like pay gaps and pension fairness. Thank you very much.”
  Gender pay transparency
• “Thank you very much. Um, and as you mentioned, chair, prior to votes, uh, it's, it's rooms like this sometimes where we should be packed with all members, not just Femm members, because of this, uh, ongoing and, um, incredibly, as, as pointed out, the violation of human dignity, um, as you outlined in your in your opening words. Uh, I want to thank you for coming to the committee. I beat solo right now, but hopefully a few more will join. Uh, and if I could for a moment, I just want to talk about a young girl from the constituency in Ireland where I represent, um, this girl, uh, at just 14 years of age, had deep fake images of her shared online within her school system, uh, manipulated explicit images that she didn't know where they came from. Uh, how to take the image down or what consequences could be for the perpetrators. And she and her extended family were completely at loss. Um, so while I welcome the commission's, uh, opening procedures into rock, um, and the debate last week in plenary, the reality is that this technology will continue to exploit and hurt women and girls like that 14 year old girl I just mentioned. So I asked today if the commission understands the threat of rock. And you very clearly outlined, um, as it says it does, uh, in, in press and media.”
  Transparency and oversight of AI-generated content