Specific Details
Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC2) - Peatlands
Intended results
To request an urgent meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) to relay grave concerns about the proposed new measures restricting farming activities on peatlands.
To highlight that the restrictions proposed by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to meet the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) conditionality would designate, by the back door, up to 720,000 hectares of land and significantly erode the economic sustainability of 42,000 herd owners, and the value of assets they hold.
To highlight how the lack of engagement by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) with impacted farmers, and the lack of of an adequate Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) impact assessment will result in restrictions that are far too severe and are unacceptable to farmers.
To call for an alternative solution that better supports rather than disadvantages the thousands of farmers potentially affected by this and for a full socio-economic impact assessment to be completed before anything is implemented.
To propose that ;
- Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) need to cast aside current proposals and find an alternative solution that adequately rewards farmers for the protection of wetlands/peatlands rather than economically impacting thousands of farmers via restricted measures as proposed.
- Rather than a catch-all series of restrictive measures being introduced, irrespective of underlying peat type as proposed, a robust carbon trading mechanism should be introduced first, and a proactive education initiative undertaker, providing site specific information and guidance to farmers on how best to protect peatlands, herein serving to progress both the economic and environmental sustainability of individual farms.
- It is imperative that the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) ensures, not only that maximum flexibilities apply at local level in designing the Good Agricultural and Environment Condition (GAEC) 2 standards to minimise its impact on farm families, but also that proper engagement with farm organisations and impacted farmers is facilitated prior to its implementation.
A full socio-economic assessment of GAEC 2 restrictions required prior to any implementation of measures dwhich should be applied on a voluntary basis only.
- A January 2024 application appears unrealistic given, even now, we lack specifics on key definitions and what land is in scope. Farmers need clarity, and they need viable alternatives too. A later application date therefore is required.
- There must be an adequate financial package provided, paid annually and independent of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funds, to compensate farmers for their endeavour, any reduction in farming activity, and any lost income and/or asset value arising from Good Agricultural and environment Condition (GAEC) standard 2.
- It is important that Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) 2 measures relate only to the protection of peatlands/wetlands, and should apply only, on individual land parcels, where > 50% of the land parcel is covered by organic soil of at least 30% (dry mass) organic matter over a depth of at least 45cm in undrained land and 30cm deep on drained land.
- It is imperative that ongoing maintenance activities (e.g. existing drainage networks; active pumping etc) including the installation of replacement and additional drains where relevant, are permitted to preserve current land use and drainage systems, and that any introduced measures does not economically disadvantage the farm operation.
- The implementation of the Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) 2 in it's design, must acknowledge and take account of other National/EU policies and indeed other GAEC's within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) programme seeking to protect peatland/wetlands.
- A full review of the internal operating dynamic surrounding designations, compensation and applications for Activities Requiring Consent (ARC) is required because the existing is not fit for puropse.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Brian Rushe IFA Deputy President, Shane Whelan IFA Senior Policy Executive, Rachel Moloney IFA Policy Executive
Amii McKeever
Adviser to Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Charlie McConalogue
Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)