The EU’s landmark Farm to Fork Strategy has opened the door for farmers to be recognised and paid for their role in capturing carbon on their farms. The European Commission strategy aims to devise a carbon sink market to pay farmers, through the CAP and the private market, to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
The EU’s landmark Farm to Fork Strategy has opened the door for farmers to be recognised and paid for their role in capturing carbon on their farms.
The European Commission strategy aims to devise a carbon sink market to pay farmers, through the CAP and the private market, to remove carbon from the atmosphere.
It also aims to cut pesticide use by 50% and rein in fertiliser use by 20%, while cutting antibiotic use by half and growing organic farming to 25% of European farmland.
The next CAP will be a key vehicle to drive this, with the Commission planning to ringfence as much as 40% of the direct payments budget for eco-schemes.
Ireland’s grass-based model fits the drive towards carbon-efficient farming, with one EU official noting the important role extensive livestock systems on permanent pastures play in keeping carbon in the soil.
Farm organisations have expressed concern that the plans could damage farmers’ competitiveness.
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