The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is facilitating a public consultation process and has invited submissions from interested parties on a draft climate change adaptation plan for the agriculture and forestry sectors. The IFA made a submission for this consultation process last week and called for the following actions:

  • The extension of the scope of the catchment flood risk assessment and management (CFRAMS) flood analysis work to cover all rural areas and farmlands. A better balance is required between the environmental good and the public good, so that farm families and communities are not left in unacceptable conditions because of inaction. An immediate publication of a plan of action, including time lines, for works that will take place and will affect future flood events is needed.
  • Full recognition for the farming and forestry sector of the positive role played in carbon sequestration and storage. This can be achieved through increased agri-environment payments under GLAS and other forestry schemes.
  • A reduction in the greening compliance burden in the tillage sector and increased funding to allow for the expansion of the protein crop area eligible to receive the full coupled payment.
  • The establishment of the long-awaited national energy forum to co-ordinate a coherent energy response to climate change, which maximises biomass and other renewable opportunities for the farming sector.
  • The enactment of the changes regarding hedge cutting and gorse burning proposed in the Heritage Bill to reduce the risk of wildfires and deliver a better balance between good farming practices and environmental obligations.
  • The implementation of risk assessment and warning systems to assist farmers and forest owners minimise the risks to production from extreme weather events.
  • To assist in better resource management. The new nutrient management planning tool developed by Teagasc should be made available to farmers at no cost for a two-year period and on a least-cost basis thereafter.