Boland hosts European Commissioner on family farm in Offaly

European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) President Séamus Boland hosted Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for the Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, at his family farm in Ballycumber on Thursday afternoon, to discuss sustainable farming, biodiversity and the future of rural communities.

During the visit, President Boland, who is the former long-time CEO of the Moate-based Irish Rural Link organisation, showcased how environmental stewardship and productive farming can work hand in hand.

The beef farm, which is managed in partnership with President Boland's son Jamie, uses only natural and non-chemical fertilisers as part of its sustainable farming practices.

President Boland said: “It was a genuine pleasure to welcome Commissioner Roswall to my farm and to show how farmers are helping to protect the environment and biodiversity while continuing to produce quality food. Farmers and rural communities must be at the heart of Europe’s green transition.”

Commissioner Jessika Roswall, who is in Ireland for the EU Council meeting of European environment ministers in Dublin, said: “Today’s visit showed how the European green transition is delivered not only through policy, but through the farmers who care for our landscapes every day. They show that protecting nature and supporting rural communities go hand in hand when all stakeholders are part of the solution.”

President Boland and Commissioner Roswall have established a strong partnership to drive progress on some of Europe’s most pressing environmental challenges, including water resilience, and the circular economy.

This co-operation between the EESC and European Commission helps to ensure that Europe’s green transition delivers practical benefits for citizens, businesses and communities while strengthening environmental protection and competitiveness.

The Irish EU Council Presidency, which runs until the end of 2026, represents a key window to advance the green transition and sustainable farming. In this area, at the request of the Irish government, the EESC is working on an 'Opinion on the EU Livestock' strategy, which President Boland will present at the EU Council meeting of Agriculture ministers in Dublin in September.

This is one of several EU Council ministerial meetings to which President Boland has been invited as a high-level speaker during the course of the Irish EU Council Presidency.

President Boland's farm has been owned by his family since 1890. He took over its day-to-day running aged 14 in 1970 after his father became unwell. The farm is around 32 hectares in size and has 51 beef heifers for beef production, as well as around 25 sheep at certain points of the year.

Since his inauguration as President on 22 October 2025, President Boland has held bilateral meetings with 17 European Commissioners, as well as Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Council António Costa, President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

The EESC is the voice of organised civil society in Europe. It represents employers, workers and civil society organisations. The expertise of its 329 members helps optimise the quality of EU policies and legislation.