Addressing gender equality 'essential' to achieving sustainability in agriculture

"Ireland is lagging far behind our EU counterparts when it comes to the share of farms being managed or passed on to women."

Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan was approved by Government earlier this week. 

Addressing gender inequality and increasing the opportunities for women to farm is "essential" to achieving sustainability in agriculture, the Irish Farmers' Association has said.

IFA farm family and social affairs chairwoman Alice Doyle said the measures in the next CAP to improve women’s participation in farming are an "important development" that will hopefully address gender imbalance and support more women to farm.