Oireachtas climate committee to reject farm carbon tax

The Oireachtas joint committee on climate action has agreed not to recommend a tax on greenhouse gas emissions from farms when it submits its final report by the new deadline of 28 March, the Irish Farmers Journal understands.

The committee has delayed its report by one month amid intense but constructive discussions behind closed doors on controversial measures suggested by the Citizen’s Assembly, according to several of its members.

Brexit risks and current pressure on farm incomes have led TDs and senators to set aside the assembly’s proposal to tax farm emissions and use the money raised to fund more climate-friendly agricultural practices. The committee will call for the implementation of the 27 measures identified by Teagasc to reduce emissions from Irish farms.

Those with the largest potential include the replacement of CAN fertiliser with protected urea, continued improvement in the dairy EBI and accelerated afforestation.

Renewable energy

On the renewable energy side, the committee will support the formation of farmers’ co-ops to invest in anaerobic digestion and produce renewable gas, following the evaluation of potential adverse effects in developing this industry.

The report will also recommend low-cost loans for groups of farmers entering this sector.

The committee’s report is due to feed into Minister for Climate Action Richard Bruton’s all-Government plan, which was expected by the end of March.

The committee’s delay in completing its report means Minister Bruton is now likely to push back the publication of the Government’s own plan.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture will develop its own sustainability and environmental roadmap over the course of this year, including a phase of public consultation towards the middle of the year.

This is again expected to outline how the measures identified by Teagasc and others will be implemented.

To complete the picture, the State’s Climate Change Advisory Council is due to publish its recommendations on agriculture in July.