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 Agriculture

Period 1 Sep, 2021 to 31 Dec, 2021

Specific Details Carbon Budgets/Climate Action

Intended results To express grave concerns in relation to the proposed new method of carbon accounting being considered by the Government in the current carbon budgeting process. That IFA was to the forefront in ensuring an amendment was made to the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 before it was signed into law in July. The key objective of this amendment was to ensure that, in addition to emissions, the carbon accounting process took account of carbon removals occurring across every grass and arable farm in Ireland. This amendment gave due recognition of the beneficial impact farmers can have to enhance carbon sequestration and contribute to climate neutrality. To highlight that Government in implementing the regulation arising from the amendment, is considering changing the carbon accounting method from the long-established “Net-Net” accounting method to “Gross-Net”. This change would have a massive impact on how emissions from agriculture and land use are calculated. It would not be consistent with the intention of Seanad Éireann when the amendment was passed. That the “Net-Net” method of carbon accounting is currently a fully accepted calculation method by the European Union (EU). While there are proposals tabled to change the accounting method in years to come, these are still being considered and have not been approved. To ask that the Taoiseach would ensure, the retention of the existing “Net-Net” carbon accounting methodology. That the carbon budget staging announced by the Climate Change Advisory Council, and the sectoral emissions ceilings reported, will have serious repercussions for farming. To highlight that our most productive farmers simply cannot remain viable if agriculture has to reduce emissions by between 21% and 30% as has been reported. This To seek that the Government engage in meaningful negotiation with farmers to make a plan for the sector that can contribute to emissions reduction, but which does not impact on farmer's livelihoods. In addition, proper funding must be in place to help farmers implement climate action measures That the emissions ceiling for agriculture announced by the Government will be extremely challenging and could have a profound impact on the rural economy. To highlight that farmers cannot do more for the environment and invest in emissions mitigation measures when their incomes are under such pressure. That it is extraordinary to hear the Taoiseach dismiss an independent report by KPMG into the impact of emissions ceilings on farming as ‘scaremongering', while the Government hasn't done an economic impact assessment themselves. That the conclusion is that a 21% emissions cut would result in 10,000 job losses, while a 30% cut would result in over 56,000 job losses and reduced output of nearly €4bn. To seek that the Government stops communicating with farmers over the airwaves, or indeed across mart rings. Instead, they should sit down with elected farm leaders to make a proper plan for the sector. To seek a meeting with the Taoiseach as soon as possible so that a plan for the agricultural sector can begin.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Cullinan IFA President, Paul O'Brien IFA Environment Chair, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Tadhg Buckley IFA Director of Policy/Chief Economist, Geraldine O'Sullivan 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.

Meeting (21-30)

Phone call (11-20)

Social Media (6-10)

Event / Reception (1)

Letter (1)

Email (11-20)

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.

Micheál Martin An Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Eamon Ryan Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)

Seán Sherlock TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Charlie McConalogue Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Anne Rabbitte Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Dara Calleary TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Lisa Chambers Senator (Seanad)

Pippa Hackett Super Junior Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Simon Coveney Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Gillian Coughlan Councillor (Cork County Council)

Simon Coveney Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)

John Cummins Senator (Seanad)

Joe O'Brien TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

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)

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)

Cathal Berry TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Garrett Ahern Senator (Seanad)

Martin Browne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Canney TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ciaran Cannon TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Éamon Ó Cuív TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mairéad Farrell TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Kyne Senator (Seanad)

Hildegarde Naughton TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Barry Cowen TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jennifer Whitmore TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mark Wall Senator (Seanad)

Pippa Hackett Super Junior Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Seán Fleming TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Verona Murphy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Ring TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Dara Calleary TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Rose Conway-Walsh TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Alan Dillon TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Lisa Chambers Senator (Seanad)

Paddy Burke Senator (Seanad)

Seán Kyne Senator (Seanad)

Ollie Crowe Senator (Seanad)

Noel Grealish TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mairéad Farrell TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Hildegarde Naughton TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Catherine Connolly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Éamon Ó Cuív TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Denis Naughten TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Aisling Dolan Senator (Seanad)

Eugene Murphy Senator (Seanad)

Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Claire Kerrane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Anne Rabbitte TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Peter Keaveney Councillor (Galway County Council)

Michael Connolly Councillor (Galway County Council)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Darragh O'Brien Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Helen McEntee Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)

Damien English Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Heather Humphreys Minister (Department of Social Protection)

Fergus O'Dowd TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Colm Markey MEP (European Parliament)

Simon Coveney Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Michael J. McGrath Assistant Secretary (Department of Finance)

Charlie McConalogue Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Danny Healy-Rae TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brendan Gleeson Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Patrick Donohoe Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)