Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
Environment
Period
1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025
Specific Details
Implementing Climate Action Measures
Intended results
To point out that Irish farmers fully recognise the urgency of climate action and are determined to play their part in meeting national emissions reduction targets. Across the country, farmers are already reducing emissions, adopting science-based mitigation measures, and investing in innovative technologies — often under significant financial and regulatory pressure.
To highlight that the transition must be fair, practical, and properly supported. To this end, the climate neutrality interpretation proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council in the Carbon Budget Proposal 2031–2040 should be supported by Government.
That, adopting a net-zero carbon dioxide plus temperature-neutrality target by 2050 is scientifically grounded, economically prudent, aligns with the Paris Agreement goals and supports a just transition for Irish farmers.
IFA proposes the following
1. Seek postponement of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) - The current design of the EU CBAM risks penalising the use of protected urea — a lower emission fertiliser — due to how carbon intensity is calculated. IFA urges Government to seek postponement or amendment at EU level to ensure climate policy coherence and protect Ireland's ability to meet Climate Action Plan targets
2. Targeted Investment from the Climate & Nature Fund - Ring-fence a significant portion of the €3.15 billion Climate & Nature Fund (2026–2030) for on-farm climate interventions and diversification, with higher support rates for farmers on designated or constrained lands.
3. Policy Stability - Introduce a period of policy stability by pausing new regulatory changes. Farmers need certainty to plan, invest, and implement existing measures effectively.
4. Incentives for High-Impact Mitigation Measures - Policy supports must bridge the gap of low carbon production that is not yet valued by the market, so sustainability does not come at the expense of farm viability. Key measures that could deliver rapid, verifiable emissions reductions include
• Financial supports for the use of approved feed and slurry additives to cut methane emissions.
• Schemes to support earlier finishing of livestock while maintaining product quality.
• Backing the development of an Agri-led biomethane sector that creates a viable, farmer-centered renewable gas industry
• Carbon and nature farming schemes to encourage sustainable land-use diversification, including forestry and peatland rehabilitation.
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 & Chief Economist, John Murphy IFA Environment & Rural Affairs Chair, Geraldine O'Sullivan IFA Senior 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.
Informal communication (2-5)
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.
Alice-Mary Higgins
Senator (Seanad)
Barry Heneghan
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Ciarán Ahern
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Jennifer Whitmore
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
John Clendennen
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Lorraine Clifford-Lee
Senator (Seanad)
Malcolm Byrne
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Malcolm Noonan
Senator (Seanad)
Mark Duffy
Senator (Seanad)
Naoise Ó Muirí
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Naoise O'Cearúil
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Noel O'Donovan
Senator (Seanad)
Pa Daly
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Réada Cronin
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Laura Burke
Director General (Environmental Protection Agency)