Despite the NI Climate Change Act 2002 placing a requirement on DAERA to establish a Just Transition Fund for Agriculture, there is unlikely to be a substantial pot of new money for farmers to help them contribute towards a 2050 net zero greenhouse gas target. Answering questions at last Thursday’s Stormont Agriculture committee, Claire Cockerill from DAERA appeared to suggest money for this new fund will come from the existing ring-fenced direct payments budget that comes to farmers. When pressed on the issue by committee chair, Tom Elliot MLA, Cockerill said she would “have to confirm with our colleagues in agriculture policy”.
“If that comes out of the budget that is already there, I think that agriculture and farmers will feel very short-changed,” responded Elliott.
During the meeting, DAERA officials were also asked about whether the targets contained within the Climate Change Act are actually achievable.
ADVERTISEMENT
“They are very challenging. They are very stretching,” acknowledged Cockerill, who added that they will require “transformational change” across all of society.
Register for free to read this story and our free stories.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
Despite the NI Climate Change Act 2002 placing a requirement on DAERA to establish a Just Transition Fund for Agriculture, there is unlikely to be a substantial pot of new money for farmers to help them contribute towards a 2050 net zero greenhouse gas target. Answering questions at last Thursday’s Stormont Agriculture committee, Claire Cockerill from DAERA appeared to suggest money for this new fund will come from the existing ring-fenced direct payments budget that comes to farmers. When pressed on the issue by committee chair, Tom Elliot MLA, Cockerill said she would “have to confirm with our colleagues in agriculture policy”.
“If that comes out of the budget that is already there, I think that agriculture and farmers will feel very short-changed,” responded Elliott.
During the meeting, DAERA officials were also asked about whether the targets contained within the Climate Change Act are actually achievable.
“They are very challenging. They are very stretching,” acknowledged Cockerill, who added that they will require “transformational change” across all of society.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS