Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2024
576. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps envisaged by the European Union to introduce a framework for carbon farming, and the processes through which farm progress would be measured and rewarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29486/24]
View answerOn 20 February 2024, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU reached a provisional agreement on the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation, establishing the first EU-wide voluntary framework for certifying carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products generated in Europe. In addition, by 2026, the Commission will assess whether to expand the scope of carbon farming to include greenhouse gas emission reductions from livestock activities.
To implement the CRCF regulation and Carbon farming, the Commission is taking the following steps:
• Adoption of EU certification methodologies for different activities by 2025
• Adoption of third-party verification rules: The Commission will issue implementing acts to set technical rules for third-party verification requirements by 2026.
• Recognition of certification schemes: By 2030, the Commission will approve certification schemes able to apply CRCF rules through Decisions, following a comprehensive assessment of governance, rules, and procedures, typically granting recognition for five years.
In tandem with developments at EU level, I am committed to developing a National Framework for Carbon Farming to provide guidance to farmers and landowners in Ireland on the overarching principles needed to develop Carbon Farming. My department held a public consultation in September 2023 on Carbon Farming and positive feedback was received from stakeholders regarding the potential opportunities in this area with further engagement is planned to inform future policy developments.
