The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 21 May, 2023

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Environment

Period 1 Jan, 2023 to 30 Apr, 2023

Specific Details Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss

Intended results To point out that a collaborative approach to nature conservation is needed. To appeal to the Assembly to take full account of farmers' views when framing their recommendations To point out that space for nature is on average 12-14% of the farmland area on Irish farms, which is greater than reported in other EU countries, according to a UCD study. A third of Irish farms participate in an agri-environment scheme, which is 2.5 times the EU average. To highlight that the proposed EU Nature Restoration Law has raised real concerns amongst farmers. The Government must engage with farmers before adopting their position on this proposal. The property rights of farmers will have to be fully respected To point out that overall biodiversity policy will have to be incentive based and new funding will need to be provided outside of CAP. Farmers in designations or protected areas will have to be properly compensated. To voice significant concerns about the potential impact some of the recommendations of the Assembly could have on Irish farming and the rural communities they support. The idea of placing a levy or charge on agricultural exports from our largest indigenous industry is outlandish. It will be counter-productive and also seeks to place the cost burden of dealing with challenges relating to biodiversity squarely on the shoulders of farmers. Any levy or charge that is placed on food production ends up being carried by the farmers and will do nothing to improve biodiversity. To highlight that CAP subsidies protect family farm incomes, support the rural economy and protect rural landscapes. The average farm size in Ireland is fewer than 80 acres; The average farm size in Ireland is fewer than 80 acres; removing agricultural supports would lead to the exit of thousands of farmers from rural Ireland.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Cullinan IFA President, Paul O'Brien IFA Environment 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)

Informal communication (2-5)

Submission (1)

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.

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Brian Leddin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

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)

Denis O'Donovan Senator (Seanad)

Frances Fitzgerald MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe Flaherty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Lynn Boylan Senator (Seanad)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Martin Browne 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)

Michael Ring TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Paul Kehoe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Sean Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Victor Boyhan Senator (Seanad)