The potential to pay farmers for sequestering carbon from the atmosphere is gaining political momentum internationally and within Government. Last month, Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan indicated that Irish farmers would be paid to store carbon.

While his comments are welcome, the development of a mechanism to allow farm sequestered carbon to be traded on a carbon market at full value is going to take significant work and up-front investment. It will require a national audit process, that through measurement, reporting and validation, scientifically establishes and moves to verifiably improve agriculture’s net contribution to the environment.

Siobhán Walsh and Stephen Robb detail the hurdles that will have to be jumped in this week's edition. It is critical that farmers do not see themselves merely as passive observers, allowing others shape the policy direction on this issue. A properly constructed carbon trading scheme that rewards for the level of carbon stored and sequestered in agricultural soils has the potential to significantly rebalance farmers’ power in the food supply chain and generate a significant additional income stream.

This week's cartoon

\ Jim Cogan

Dairy: transparent explanation required

Once again dairy farmers are left wondering why the milk price being paid by processors is failing to track market returns. The sentiment across markets is strong as the global food service sector reopens and retail demand for dairy products remains robust. The significant increase in the Ornua Purchase Price Index (PPI) last week was a reflection of this. Yet processors failed to pass any increase back to farmers in the June milk price.

Farmers deserve an explanation. Is it a case of balance sheets being strengthened or are processors not in a position to extract the same value from the market for Irish dairy products as Ornua?

A key strength of our dairy industry is transparency. Rather than being kept in the dark, farmers deserve a transparent explanation from their farmer boards as to why June milk price is lagging the market by 2-3c/l. Increasing the price by 0.5c/l in July and August won’t bridge the income gap for seasonal milk producers.

Farm safety: make one change to reduce risks

Ahead of Farm Safety Week, we have a special Focus on what steps farmers can take to make their farms safer. Adam Woods sets down a challenge: to commit to one change on the farm that will reduce the risk of a farm accident.

We appeal to all farmers to take on the challenge – if not out of a commitment to protecting yourself then a commitment to ensuring your family never have to undergo the heartache of losing a loved one.

We invite all readers to send us in a picture of one change you are implementing to make your farm safer and we will publish the best photos in print and online at www.ifj.ie/onechange. Meanwhile, stay tuned to our social media channels next week for more farm safety videos and tips brought to you in partnership with ESB Networks.