Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
Environment
Period
1 Jan, 2020 to 30 Apr, 2020
Specific Details
Climate Action in Agriculture - A Balanced Approach
Intended results
To highlight the lack of balance the exists in the climate debate
To demonstrate the high standards Irish farmers adhere to and the quality of the food produced
Invitation to event featuring Dr Frank Mitloehner UC Davis, California to give balance, with scientific evidence, the discussion about the contribution of agriculture to the climate challenge
To highlight that the lack of balance in the debate is very frustrating for Irish farmers, given the high standards adhered to and the quality of the food produce. For example, 90% of Ireland's beef exports are now in an audit and carbon foot printing programme and 100% of milk production is completing a carbon auditing cycle. This is unique – we are the only country in the world that measures, monitors and manages carbon from farm to fork.
To highlight that the way that methane emissions from the national herd are currently accounted for is not appropriate. This must be addressed at international level by the Department of Agriculture.
To highlight that farmers are not getting any credit for the carbon in our pasture and our hedgerows. This needs to be quantified. The clear responsibility lies with Teagasc to do the research and calculate how much Irish agriculture is storing.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Joe Healy IFA President (until 27 January 2020), Tim Cullinan IFA President (from 27 January 2020)
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 (11-20)
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.
Hildegarde Naughton
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Pat Deering
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Jack Chambers
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Timmy Dooley
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Martin Heydon
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Paul Daly
Senator (Seanad)
John Carroll
Head of Unit (Department of the Taoiseach)
Philip O'Callaghan
Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)
Tom Neville
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Michael Lowry
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Michael Creed
Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)