The environment committee of the European Parliament wants to impose stricter 2030 climate change targets on Ireland ahead of a plenary vote next week. A European Commission proposal allows a range of economic sectors including agriculture to offset a portion of greenhouse gas emissions through land management practices that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, such as improved soil management and forestry planting. Ireland was allowed the second-highest such flexibility in the EU, but environment MEPs have voted to cut this by one third.

Listen to "Mairead McGuinness MEP on climate change targets" on Spreaker.

By contrast, the agriculture committee wants to retain full flexibility for the exclusive benefit of farming and has called on climate targets to be implemented “in a manner that does not threaten food production”.

Irish Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says things are "not looking good for Ireland" in this debate. Watch his interview with Irish Farmers Journal markets specialist Phelim O'Neill in our video below:

Being able to offset 5.6% of Ireland’s 30% emissions cuts, rather than just 3.8% under the environment committee’s position, would mean a big difference to the production capability of Irish farming.

The full Parliament vote is too close to call at this point. If the proposal is rejected, it goes back to the Commission. The view there is that the present draft is close to the mark and further modification would be minimal. Amendments from the environment committee may also be adopted and referred to the council representing member states.

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