EU must prepare trade plan for US shocks to farming sector - Mayo MEP

THE European Commission must develop a crisis preparedness plan to protect the agriculture sector from ongoing US trade shocks, MEP Maria Walsh has said.

A full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee, Ms. Walsh called on the European Commission to prepare a contingency plan for the EU agricultural sector as part of a debate on EU-US trade - which she requested in the wake of Trump’s tariffs announcement.

MEP Walsh’s calls come as a new OECD report indicates that Ireland is amongst the countries hit hardest by the Trump trade policies.

The OECD has projected Irish GDP growth to be 3.7% in 2025, before falling to 2.3% in 2026. The report also highlights the impact of US tariffs on the Irish dairy and beverage industries specifically.

Said MEP Walsh: “The US is no longer the reliable trading partner it once was for our agricultural sector. This leaves the livelihoods of thousands of Irish farmers and food producers in limbo.

“With no assurance of a return to normality, the European Commission must share their strategy that protects the competitiveness of the industry and reduces our reliance on the US.

“I requested the Agriculture Committee to hold a debate on EU-US trade given the impact of President Trump’s reckless decisions which impact Irish farmers and their families. We held this debate in Brussels, with officials from the European Commission in attendance to engage with MEPs.

“I had one key message for the Commission; we urgently need a plan to protect against US trade shocks that will rip through the EU agricultural sector.

“I questioned the Commission on what steps they will take to strengthen the competitiveness of our agri-food sector in both the short-term and long-term and how they intend to diversify EU markets. I also stressed the need to preserve open negotiation and communication with the Trump administration.

“However, while we need to maintain an open dialogue with the US, we can no longer afford to rely on them. The threat of trade shocks has not gone away - it is a ticking time bomb that can explode and significantly impact the Irish agriculture sector at any moment.

“While we may hope for the best, the EU must now prepare for the worst.”