The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 21 Jan, 2022

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Environment

Period 1 Sep, 2021 to 31 Dec, 2021

Specific Details Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Comments on Emissions from the Agriculture Sector

Intended results With regards to the comments made by the EPA about agricultural emissions IFA acknowledges that more needs to be done, but singling out a specific sector is unhelpful and unfair on farmers. To highlight that farmers are already taking many positive steps to make their farms more sustainable • Over €80 million has been invested in Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) equipment. This helped contribute to a 7% reduction in ammonia emissions in 2019. • Sales of protected urea have more than doubled in the past year, amounting to nearly 50,000 tonnes sold in 2020. • 96% of farmers have positively engaged with the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP), agreeing to put measures in place to help improve water quality. To highlight that farmers have achieved economic growth in the sector, not by driving emissions up, but by improving productivity, increasing efficiency and adopting more sustainable farming practices. To highlight that based on the EPA's 2021 inventory report, emission levels for the industry are on a par with 1995 levels. During the same period emissions from other sectors, such as transport, have increased massively. To highlight that farmers are willing to do more to mitigate emissions, but they must be supported. To highlight that the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advice Programme (ASSAP) that works with farmers to improve water quality clearly shows what can be achieved if farmers are supported. 70% of the water bodies that have completed fieldwork under the programme have shown net improvement in water quality. We need more of these types of initiatives that work collaboratively with farmers.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Cullinan - IFA President, Paul O'Brien IFA Environment & Rural Affairs 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.

Email (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.

Martin Browne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Collins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe Flaherty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paul Kehoe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brian Leddin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Ring TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Victor Boyhan Senator (Seanad)

Lynn Boylan Senator (Seanad)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Denis O'Donovan Senator (Seanad)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Ciarán Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)

Clare Daly MEP (European Parliament)

Colm Markey MEP (European Parliament)

Deirdre Clune MEP (European Parliament)

Frances Fitzgerald MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Luke "Ming" Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)