An Irish MEP has highlighted “the plague of mental health in farming” with the European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen.
During a meeting with the commissioner today (Wednesday, December 18), Maria Walsh said the “epidemic of mental health problems amongst farmers” must act as a wake-up call for EU policy makers.
The Fine Gael Midlands-North-West MEP is a member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee.
Mental health
MEP Walsh said that “those in power are failing to take the mental health challenges of farmers seriously, leading to an avoidable loss of life across Europe”.
“I brought this message directly to Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen when I met him in Strasbourg today.
“It is widely accepted and evidenced that farming is one of the most dangerous jobs in Europe. Fatalities in the sector are 233% higher, and accidents 18% higher, than in other industries.
“However, too many people overlook the dangers presented by the epidemic of mental health problems amongst our farmers,” she said.
The MEP cited a study carried out by University College Dublin (UCD) in 2023 which showed that 20% of Irish farmers surveyed had suicidal thoughts in the two previous weeks.
The research also found that nearly 40% of farmers reported experiencing moderate to extremely severe stress.
MEP Walsh said that Commissioner Hansen has “a unique and personal understanding of this issue”.
“I hope this will lead to tangible solutions, and crucially financial investment, coming from the commission over the coming months.
“A welcome first step towards this is the Commissioner’s commitment to featuring mental health in his upcoming ‘Vision for Future of Agriculture’ document,” she said.
Concerns
Walsh also used the meeting as an opportunity to discuss a range of issues impacting Irish farmers.
She urged the commission to ensure the continuation of Ireland’s nitrates derogation, and shared the concerns of Irish farmers’ around the EU-Mercosur trade deal.
Generational renewal, reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and young farmers were also on the agenda.
“I welcome Commissioner Hanson’s commitment to prioritising easy yet impactful wins, such as CAP reforms that can be achieved in the short-term.
“The commissioner highlighted the potential threat of the ongoing war in Ukraine as well as the Trump presidency on the agricultural sector. I also look forward to welcoming Commissioner Hansen to Ireland next year,” Walsh said.