The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 19 Sep, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area EU Affairs

Period 1 May. 2026 to 31 Aug. 2026

Specific Details Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

Intended results To highlight that the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) at the beginning of 2026 has brought increased fertiliser prices that have since been compounded by the recent energy crisis. That the European Commission had recognised the potential for destabilisation of the market by introducing Article 27a in the proposed regulation which provides for a safeguard mechanism allowing the temporary suspension of CBAM on specific goods in times of crisis. In January this year, the Council of Agriculture Ministers recognised this measure and fully endorsed its inclusion. To stress that IFA and European farmers are deeply concerned that the Environment Committee has deleted Article 27a in their draft report. Fertilisers typically account for between 15% and 30% of farmers' production costs and recent price increases have negatively impacted farmers' margins. In January and February this year, following the implementation of CBAM, prices increased on average by 15% compared to November 2025 levels, with urea rising from below €500 per tonne to €570–600 per tonne. Urea prices now exceed €800 per tonne and continue to rise. To call upon Irish MEPs to support the retention of Article 27a, as proposed by the Commission, for fertilisers, so that Irish and European farmers can benefit from temporary relief in times of crisis. An increase in fertiliser prices during times of crisis represents a risk for food security and adds to inflationary pressures. Consequently, the possibility to temporarily suspend CBAM for fertilisers at such times is essential. To highlight that while the most recent increases are linked to geopolitical developments, the CBAM levy alone represents an average price increase of around 15% for imported fertilisers in 2026. Moreover, EU-produced fertilisers have aligned their prices accordingly. The CBAM levy is also set to increase progressively until 2034. The cost of the CBAM levy itself is estimated at around €820m in 2026, rising to €3.386bn in 2034. Over the next seven years, this amounts to approximately €12bn.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Francie Gorman IFA President, Liam MacHale IFA Director of European Affairs, Noel Banville IFA European Policy Executive

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

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (6-10)

Informal communication (2-5)

Phone call (2-5)

Letter (1)

Social Media (1)

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.

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Cassidy Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Barry Cowen MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Brian Purcell Adviser to Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Ciaran Mullooly MEP (European Parliament)

Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP (European Parliament)

Jack O'Donnell Special Advisor to the Tanaiste (Department of Finance)

Kathleen Funchion MEP (European Parliament)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Lynn Boylan MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Martin Heydon Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Michael McNamara MEP (European Parliament)

Nina Carberry MEP (European Parliament)

Regina Doherty MEP (European Parliament)

Sarah Bardon Chief of Staff (Department of Finance)

Sean Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Simon Harris Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Finance)

Sinead McPhillips Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)