Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
Agriculture
Period
1 May, 2022 to 31 Aug, 2022
Specific Details
Food Vision 2030 - Dairy Sub-Group
Intended results
The following is the IFA response to the Interim Report on the Food Vision Dairy Sub-Group:
1. Consider a Voluntary Dairy Exit/Deintensification Scheme The IFA position on this proposal has not changed from our last submission, we do not believe this is a scheme that should be considered at this time. Before there can be any further consideration of a retirement scheme there must be a full commitment that there will be no output restrictions on existing dairy farmers or future new entrants and that any scheme will be publicly funded in its entirety.
2. Explore the potential of Cap-and-Trade emissions model IFA cannot accept a proposal that would see restrictions or quota by another name be put on the dairy industry. IFA do not see the reasoning for considering detailed research on such a proposal at this stage, but we acknowledge merit in proposal 3, where a whole of farm approach is taken with recognition for sequestration along with correctly measured emissions at farm level leading to a true carbon farming model.
3. Explore the possibility of measuring and monitoring carbon production at individual farm level IFA agrees that correct measurement of all sequestration along with emissions is required at farm level, but not only in dairy but across all sectors. All carbon credits must be ring fenced for use primarily in agriculture and only then, after all required for use in agriculture have been utilised, could any be transferred outside of agriculture.
4. Reduce chemical N use in the dairy sector by 30% in the short term (2025), with a 35% reduction target in the medium term (2030) While IFA is supportive of measures to reduce the overall use of inorganic nitrogen, the proposed reductions outlined here are totally unworkable at farm level. Such a measure will result in drastic hit to dairy farmers income.
5. Target a 100% replacement rate of CAN with Protected Urea by the end of 2025 for grass based dairy production systems IFA broadly support this measure but reiterate the points made in our previous submission on availability, shelf life, forward purchasing and the small percentage of soils where it appears protected urea does not work.
6. Development of methane-mitigating feed technologies This measure is one we would broadly support on the basis that proper research is completed and financial support is made available to farmers to cover the additional cost of usage of feed additives.
7. Develop methane mitigating Breeding Strategies As in our previous response we broadly support this proposal. But as outlined all stakeholders must ensure that male and beef-type female calves born to the dairy herd are suitably bred for the needs of the beef industry and can achieve optimum age of slaughter, that sexed semen is further encouraged in the breeding of suitable replacements in the dairy herd and that improvements are immediately reflected in the national inventory.
8. Adopt a common co-op charter on sustainable milk production that underpins the family farm model. IFA broadly agrees with this proposal to protect the family farm model. As stated previously, ultimately the relationship between an existing supplier or a new entrant and his/her processor should be the overarching relationship that governs policy in this area.
9. a) Increase investment in Climate Change Research and in Knowledge Transfer b) Establish a Climate Change Research Liaison Group (CCRLG) with the EPA IFA broadly agrees with this proposal, but as previously stated farmer representation must be part of the Climate Research Liaison Group.
10. Design a Climate Action Communications Strategy We broadly agree with this proposal but again state that in any communications with the general public on food and climate change, food should never be rated solely on its emissions but in totality to include, nutrition, water usage etc also.
11. Increase the adoption of Low-Emissions Slurry Spreading (LESS)- target 100% adoption of LESS for all dairy cow organic manure by 2025 IFA agree in principle on the increased adoption of Low Emission Slurry Spreading for dairy farmers. While it is stated in the proposal that the further adoption of LESS should be “incentivised through appropriate industry and state support” it should also make clear that this state support should be available to ALL farmers who wish to purchase LESS equipment
12. Improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency – Liming and soil pH- Ensure 100% of dairy farms are soil testing for pH We agree in principle to this proposal.
13. Drive Clover Adoption and Multi-Species swards (MSS)- ensure all dairy farmers have incorporated clover/multispecies on 20% of their farm grassland by end of 2025. While IFA is supportive of measures to increase the incorporation of additional clover on Irish farms, the establishing of clover takes time which must be further recognised in the proposal.
14. Milk recording- strive to achieve 90% adoption rate by end of 2025 IFA broadly agree with this proposal but again ask should the possibility of approved milk recording equipment be grant aided for installation on farm level for more frequent recordings.
15. Develop Energy Diversification Opportunities 7 We broadly support this measure but as previously stated substantiative Government support is sadly lacking at this current time. As in the document we reiterate that if carbonmitigation benefits of this energy diversification are attributed in the main to the Energy sector instead of agriculture then funding for these projects must also come from the Energy sector (either State or private).
16. Have all co-ops adopt Sustainability Programmes IFA is broadly supportive of this measure. However, any funds required to support this cannot impact the price paid for farmgate milk.
17. Introduce animal health measures listed in Action 314 of the Climate Action Plan 2021 IFA is broadly supportive of this measure
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance & Oireachtas Engagement, Karol Kissane IFA 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.
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.
Joe Flaherty
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Michael Ring
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Brian Leddin
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Paul Kehoe
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Victor Boyhan
Senator (Seanad)
Lynn Boylan
Senator (Seanad)
Tim Lombard
Senator (Seanad)
Paul Daly
Senator (Seanad)
Martin Browne
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Jackie Cahill
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Michael Collins
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Matt Carthy
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Patrick Donohoe
Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Charlie McConalogue
Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)