Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
Environment
Period
1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025
Specific Details
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme
Intended results
To highlight that farmers recognise the importance of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme as a policy tool to accelerate the transition to a circular, climate-neutral economy. Farmers have demonstrated their commitment to the safe disposal of all farm waste, from schemes such as the Irish Farm Film Producers Group (IFFPG), that recycles over 90% of farm plastics, that were designed in consultation with them.
It is important to note that waste tyres on farms are part of the circular economy already as they have been re-purposed and re-used by farmers to provide an alternative use for the tyres, which extends the lifespan of the product in an environmentally friendly manner.
To seek the continuation of the derogation for agricultural tyres under S.I. No. 400/2017 - Waste Management (Tyres and Waste Tyres) Regulations 2017 until
(i) issues with the legacy regards waste tyres on farms is addressed
(ii) an economic assessment of the impact of the expansion of the scheme including proposed costs is undertaken to ensure that the scheme as proposed is competitive and does not adversely affect the market.
(iii) farmers are provided further opportunities to input into the design of the EPR scheme, so the conditions are effective, deliver the best results and do not create inefficiencies.
To request an opportunity to meet with the Minister of State for the Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibility for Circular Economy at his earliest convenience to discuss the proposed inclusion of agricultural tyres in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme in Q1 2025.
To meet with the Minister of State for the Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibility for Circular Economy to discuss farmers concerns.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President, John Murphy IFA Environment & Rural Affairs Chair, Tadhg Buckley IFA Director of Policy & Chief Economist, Geraldine O'Sullivan IFA Senior 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.
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.
Alan Dillon
Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)
Jenny McCormack
Special Adviser (Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)