Agriculture Schemes

Tuesday, 16 June 2026

Questions (717, 721)

Ryan O'Meara

Question:

717. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the work of developing a carbon farming framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44938/26]

View answer

Ryan O'Meara

Question:

721. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on developing a carbon farming framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44936/26]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 717 and 721 together.

At EU level, the publication of the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation (EU/2024/3012) is creating the first EU-wide voluntary framework for certifying carbon removals and carbon farming across the EU and this is welcome.

In tandem with developments at EU level, I am committed to developing a National Carbon Farming Framework to provide guidance to farmers, landowners and foresters on the overarching principles needed to develop carbon farming in Ireland.

At an early stage, I identified a strong need for stakeholder engagement to inform the development of this new policy area. My Department has held two public consultations and several stakeholder engagement events on Carbon Farming.

I recently published a draft set of principles entitled “Carbon Farming - Developments at European Union level and Principles to develop Carbon Farming in Ireland”. This document was informed by extensive input from stakeholders who highlighted their support for the continued development of a National Carbon Farming Framework.

To continue the momentum on stakeholder engagement, the first meeting of the Carbon Farming Stakeholder Group was held on 5th June 2026.

While the conditions seem to be right for Ireland to develop Carbon Farming, there are still many unknowns, especially in terms of how much value will be placed on different ecosystem services and how the market will evolve, both in the short and longer term. I remain committed to continuing this work and delivering a National Carbon Farming Framework.