Relevant Matter
Legislation
Public Policy Area
Environment
Period
1 Jan, 2020 to 30 Apr, 2020
Specific Details
Heads of Climate Action (Amendment) Bill 2019
Intended results
To highlight that the proposals to introduce targets are damoaging to Ireland's rural economy and global climate emissions, unless a well-funded climate action strategy is introduced for the sector
To put on the record again that farmers are tired of being kicked around and scapegoated when it comes to climate action. The fact is transport remains Ireland's biggest climate problem, not livestock.
That there would be better science rather than unachievable targets on proposals to introduce methane reduction targets.
That crude climate targets would be replaced with a climate action programme, which includes the following key actions
1. An increase in the Common Agricultural Policy budget, to take account of inflation and to fully compensate farmers for any additional requirements placed upon them as a result of CAP reform or measures proposed in the EU's Green Deal.
2. The introduction of a biomass development programme, which would displace electricity generated from peat and coal. This would eliminate 64% of greenhouse gasses created when generating electricity.
3. The re-opening of the Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme.
4. The announcement of a zero-carbon electricity tariff for farm based renewable projects. This should be used over time to displace electricity production from gas, which accounts for 35% of greenhouse gasses emitted when generating electricity.
5. Funding for the development of farm and community scale anaerobic digestors, to convert animal manures and food waste into bio-methane. This will reduce fossil fuel use in energy generation, greenhouse gas emissions and the import of mineral fertilisers.
6. The scaling up of on-farm emission reduction programmes identified in the National Mitigation Plan, such as Smart Farming, Origin Green and the Carbon Navigator.
7. A full review of forestry policy to remove barriers to planting, these include relaxation of replanting obligations and removal of arbitrary restrictions on unenclosed land. Planting in 2019 was 50% below the target set out in the Climate Action Plan
8. A coherent and fully funded strategy for the development of a viable horticulture and arable sector.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Thomas Cooney IFA Environment Chairman
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.
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.
Pat Deering
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Paul Daly
Senator (Seanad)
Jackie Cahill
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Charlie McConalogue
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Michelle Mulherin
Senator (Seanad)
Willie Penrose
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Thomas Pringle
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Senator (Seanad)
Brian Stanley
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Tim Lombard
Senator (Seanad)