The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 16 May, 2026

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Energy and Natural Resources

Period 1 Jan. 2026 to 30 Apr. 2026

Specific Details Crisis in the Middle East

Intended results To highlight that the recent surge in energy, fuel and fertiliser prices is a very serious and concerning development for the Irish farming and agri-food sectors. Energy and fertiliser costs constitute a massive part of an Irish farmers' overall cost base, both directly in using fuel and fertiliser to operate farm machinery and grow crops, and indirectly through the use of agricultural contractors, transport and other similar services. Farm households, the majority of which rely on kerosene to heat their homes are also significantly impacted. To highlight that, to date, the Irish Government has reduced farm diesel (green diesel) prices by just 5 cent per litre. This is a completely inadequate response to an ever-deepening crisis and nowhere near enough to address the huge increase in prices., IFA is seeking an immediate Government response to the crisis. To point out that the Government continues to rule out removing or suspending the Carbon Tax on fuels or farm diesel. While IFA disagree with this and still believe it should be suspended, we have looked at some alternatives which might mitigate the cost increase to farmers. IFA proposes: 1. Introduction of a Temporary Farm Fuels Support Scheme (TFFSS) similar to the previous Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) which operated in 2022/2023 but with a higher rate of support. It is proposed that the TFFSS would operate as follows; I. Provide a support payment refunding farmers and farm contractors of the uplift in farm fuel costs compared to the same month in 2025. II. Operate on a monthly basis backdated to March 1st 2026. III. All farm and contractor business fuel costs would be eligible once a business can demonstrate the relevant cost increases 2. Immediate suspension by the EU of the application of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on fertiliser. 3. Expansion of the farm diesel carbon tax relief to enable agricultural contractors to qualify. The scheme should also be simplified to encourage a more widespread uptake of the relief. 4. Reintroduction of the Fodder Support Scheme to maximise the production of fodder and to ensure fodder security for the winter ahead with a minimum payment of €150/ha for participating farmers. Increases in the price of diesel and fertiliser will add significantly to the cost of making silage and hay. This is leading to concerns that less fodder will be made in 2026. 5. A significant top-up to the existing Tillage Sustainability Support Scheme in recognition of the substantial increase in crop production costs as a result of significant increases in the price of fuel and fertiliser. 6. In the context of any restriction of access to fuel, farm diesel for use on farms and food production and fuels used in the transport and processing of food must be a priority. To seek an urgent follow up meeting to discuss the above proposals and other developments relating to the crisis.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Francie Gorman IFA President, John O'Hanlon IFA Regional Executive, Louise Crowley IFA Limerick County Chair

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.

Letter (1)

Email (6-10)

Meeting (2-5)

Virtual Meeting (1)

Phone call (2-5)

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.

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)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Ciaran Mullooly MEP (European Parliament)

Conor Glynn Special Advisor to the Tanaiste (Department of the Taoiseach)

Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP (European Parliament)

Deirdre Gillane Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)

Diarmuid Lynch Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)

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 the Taoiseach)

Sean Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Simon Harris Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Finance)

Micheál Carrigy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)