The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food chaired by Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Aindrias Moynihan hosts the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Agriculture. “Securing the future of farming, from policy to practice. Generational renewal, women in agriculture and food security” in Dublin Castle on Monday 27th July. The Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, Ms Verona Murphy TD will deliver the opening address.
Speaking ahead of the meeting Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Aindrias Moynihan said:
“Is tréimhse chinniúnach í seo do thodhchaí thalmhaíocht na hEorpa agus is follasaí ná riamh an phráinn atá le gníomhú ar son athnuachan glúine agus rannpháirtíocht na mban san fheirmeoireacht. San Idirphlé Straitéiseach ar Thodhchaí na Talmhaíochta, mar aon lena bhfuil i bhFís an Choimisiúin Eorpaigh don Talmhaíocht agus don Bhia, leagtar béim ar an gcaoi a bhfuil slándáil soláthair bia san Eoraip ag brath ar ghlúin nua feirmeoirí nuálacha agus athléimneacha a chumasú.”
“The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture looks forward to hosting the Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Agriculture which will play an integral role in encouraging dialogue on key agriculture policy areas among European parliamentarians. At the meeting, we will discuss and focus on “Securing the future of farming, from policy to practice. Generational renewal, women in agriculture and food security.”
Agenda for the meeting
09:00 Welcome by Ms. Verona Murphy T.D. Ceann Comhairle (Speaker) of Dáil Éireann
Introduction by Aindrias Moynihan T.D. (moderator), Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food
09:15 Session I: “Overview of policies regarding women and generational renewal in farming, across Europe.”
Presentations from panelists
- Ms. Esther de Lange, Head of the Cabinet of Commissioner Christophe Hansen, EU Commission
- Ms. Maria Walsh MEP, member of the AGRI Committee of the EU Parliament
- Ms. Sinéad McPhillips, Secretary General of the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Debate and comments from the floor
11:00 Session II “Example of best practice in countries with successful policies in regard to generational renewal / encouraging women into farming”
Presentations from panelists
- Mr. Johannes Abentung, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management, Austria
- Ms Marijana Petir MP, Chair of the Agriculture Committee of the Croatian Parliament
- Mr. Peter Meedendorp, President of the European Council of Farmers (CEJA)
Debate and comments from the floor
14:00 Session III “Lived experience – how generational renewal and involvement of women in agriculture is vital to EU food security
Presentations from panelists
- Ms. Josephine O’Neill, President of Macra na Feirme
- Professor Frank O’Mara, Director of Teagasc
- Ms. Hannah Quinn-Mulligan, Director Tory Hill House Farm, Co. Limerick
- Professor Maura Farrell, Professor in the school of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies, University of Galway
Debate and comments from the floor
15:45 Closing remarks by Aindrias Moynihan T.D., Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food
Deputy Moynihan added
“We will discuss the challenges around the declining numbers of young farmers and women facing disproportionate barriers from access to land and finance to social expectations and rural infrastructure gaps. The declaration of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer and Ireland’s leadership through initiatives such as the National Women in Agriculture Action Plan further highlight the momentum building across Europe to address these challenges head-on. Empowering new entrants—regardless of their gender or background—is how we will secure Europe’s food future and honour the vital role farmers play in our shared prosperity.”
The meeting will be livestreamed and can be viewed from 9am on Monday.