The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 21 May, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area EU Affairs

Period 1 Jan, 2024 to 30 Apr, 2024

Specific Details EU Environment Fund

Intended results To highlight that the single biggest barrier to meeting the climate action targets is the financial vulnerability of many farms, as it limits their ability to to adopt new practices and stifles innovation. To emphasise that new funding mechanisms need to be established to support the additional societal and environmental asks that will be imposed on farmers to meet the carbon reduction targets. To highlight that Carbon farming is a potential income source but it needs to be designed carefully. Agriculture is unique in its ability to remove carbon from the atmosphere by carbon sequestration through enhancing carbon sinks. To propose that carbon sequestration solutions enhance climate action and, if implemented correctly, bring incentives and additional income potential to landowners. The importance of soil carbon sequestration must be taken into account in the calculation of carbon balances. The proposed additionality requirement that farmers would only be eligible for a carbon payment for new actions or measures implemented to remove carbon is viewed negatively by farmers, as it (i) does not value the existing carbon reservoir in soils and or hedgerows on farms and (ii) penalises earlier adopters of practices that have improved carbon removals and prevents them from earning payments. Carbon markets must enable real market possibilities for farmers and foresters.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Francie Gorman IFA President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Tadhg Buckley IFA Director of Policy and Chief Economist, Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance & Oireachtas Engagement

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Submission All Senators

Submission All TDs

Submission All MEPs

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (2-5)

Informal communication (6-10)

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Darragh O'Brien Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

James Browne Minister of State (Department of Justice)

Joe O'Brien Minister of State (Department of Social Protection)

Michael McGrath Minister (Department of Finance)

Micheál Martin Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Roderic O'Gorman Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Malcolm Noonan Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Lorna Bogue Councillor (Cork City Council)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Cowen TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Peadar Tóibín TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Niall Blaney Senator (Seanad)

Lisa Chambers Senator (Seanad)

Paul Gavan Senator (Seanad)