Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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576. To ask 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]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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On 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.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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577. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures planned between now and 2030 necessary to maintain the environmental rating afforded by the Origin Green mark, in each key food sector. [29494/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Origin Green is not in itself an environmental label or rating: rather it is a sustainability initiative that incorporates environmental elements enabling the agrifood industry to set and achieve measurable sustainability targets. The programme is a Business to Business initiative providing programmes for farmers, producers, manufacturers and retailers. The programme is designed and operated by Bord Bia.

Food Vision 2030, the 10 year strategy for the Agri food sector, includes a specific Goal and a number of actions to strengthen Origin Green to reflect the higher level of ambition for the Agri-Food Sector. Progress on these actions can be found in the recently published Food Vision 2030 Annual report at .

In relation to future plans for Origin Green, I have passed the Deputy's query to Bord Bia for direct response.