Farmers should not be taxed for greenhouse gas emissions from livestock or fertiliser, but diesel prices should rise and more payments should be linked to verifiable action against climate change, the Oireachtas committee on climate action has recommended.
A list of 28 farm actions identified by Teagasc, including tree planting, fertiliser optimisation and improved dairy genetics, forms the core of a “strong implementation plan” by the Government.
Other recommendations include peatland re-wetting and support to farmers’ co-ops to produce biogas.
Listen to "Thomas Cooney and Ian Marshall on Climate committee report" on Spreaker.
IFA environment chair Thomas Cooney described the report as “a victory for common sense”, adding that farmers should be exempt from the proposed rise in fuel carbon tax “until such time as there are alternatives.”
The Stop Climate Chaos coalition of environmentalists also welcomed the report, with Friends of the Earth director Oisín Coghlan, describing it as “the Good Friday Agreement for Irish climate action”.
Extension
The committee called for the extension of the industry-led Smart Farming, Origin Green and dairy sustainability programmes. ICOS welcomed this focus on knowledge-sharing and the co-op model recommended for anaerobic digestion.
It is now up to the Government to implement the recommendations. Minister for Climate Action Richard Bruton said he would consider them in his all-Government climate plan due in the coming weeks.
Read more
What the Oireachtas climate committee wants from farmers
Climate report: what could it mean for farmers?
What farmers can do to tackle climate change
Farmers should not be taxed for greenhouse gas emissions from livestock or fertiliser, but diesel prices should rise and more payments should be linked to verifiable action against climate change, the Oireachtas committee on climate action has recommended.
A list of 28 farm actions identified by Teagasc, including tree planting, fertiliser optimisation and improved dairy genetics, forms the core of a “strong implementation plan” by the Government.
Other recommendations include peatland re-wetting and support to farmers’ co-ops to produce biogas.
Listen to "Thomas Cooney and Ian Marshall on Climate committee report" on Spreaker.
IFA environment chair Thomas Cooney described the report as “a victory for common sense”, adding that farmers should be exempt from the proposed rise in fuel carbon tax “until such time as there are alternatives.”
The Stop Climate Chaos coalition of environmentalists also welcomed the report, with Friends of the Earth director Oisín Coghlan, describing it as “the Good Friday Agreement for Irish climate action”.
Extension
The committee called for the extension of the industry-led Smart Farming, Origin Green and dairy sustainability programmes. ICOS welcomed this focus on knowledge-sharing and the co-op model recommended for anaerobic digestion.
It is now up to the Government to implement the recommendations. Minister for Climate Action Richard Bruton said he would consider them in his all-Government climate plan due in the coming weeks.
Read more
What the Oireachtas climate committee wants from farmers
Climate report: what could it mean for farmers?
What farmers can do to tackle climate change
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