Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1649.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason an organisation (details supplied) is not invited to forums such as farmers charter meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31880/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The new Farmers’ Charter of Rights was agreed on 2 July 2024. Following agreement of the Charter, an independently chaired Charter Monitoring Committee will be established to monitor the agreed targets and standards.

The Farmers’ Charter includes representatives from 6 representative bodies; The Irish Farmers Association (IFA), the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Macra na Feirme, Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA), Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) and the Irish Co-operative Society (ICOS).

These organisations represent a large cohort of farmers, in excess of 100,000, across all sectors. I am satisfied that the current composition of the Monitoring Committee is sufficiently representative of all sectors.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1650.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the forums that will be established in 2024 to engage with farm organisations; the farm organisations that will be invited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31881/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The new Farmers’ Charter of Rights was agreed on 2 July 2024. Following agreement of the Charter, an independently chaired Charter Monitoring Committee will be established to monitor the agreed targets and standards. The Committee will be established later in 2024.

The Farmers’ Charter includes representatives from 6 representative bodies; The Irish Farmers Association (IFA), the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Macra na Feirme, Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA), Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) and the Irish Co-operative Society (ICOS). These organisations represent a large cohort of farmers, in excess of 100,000, across all sectors.

In addition, my Department's Climate Change and Bioenergy Policy Division will shortly be commencing engagement with the farm organisations under a Carbon Farming Working Group. This will include engagement with, but not limited to, IFA, ICMSA, INHFA, ICSA, IGGG.

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1651.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria in place to recognise a farm organisation for official engagements such as farmers charter meetings. [31882/24]

Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1652.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine he reason a farm organisation (details supplied) is not recognised by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31883/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1651 and 1652 together.

The new Farmers’ Charter of Rights was agreed on 2 July 2024. Following agreement of the Charter, an independently chaired Charter Monitoring Committee will be established to monitor the agreed targets and standards.

The Farmers’ Charter includes representatives from 6 representative bodies; The Irish Farmers Association (IFA), the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Macra na Feirme, Irish Cattle and Sheep Association (ICSA), Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA) and the Irish Co-operative Society (ICOS). These organisations represent a large cohort of farmers, in excess of 100,000, across all sectors. I am satisfied that the current composition of the Monitoring Committee is sufficiently representative of all farm sectors.

In general, the main criteria/guidelines to be a recognised as a farming organisation by my Department include; having paid-up membership; hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM); have a registered company address and Articles of Association; have audited accounts and be registered on lobbying.ie. Recognised organisations must also be of sufficient scale and size to warrant inclusion to relevant Departmental groups/committees.