Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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573. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reverse his decision to apply GAEC2 (good agricultural and environmental conditions) rules in 2025 until he has engaged with farmers and stakeholders on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9508/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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GAEC 2 is a mandatory condition of the payment of the Basic Income Support for Farmers (BISS). It is intended to protect peatlands and wetlands. The EU Regulation governing the CAP Strategic Plans requires all Member States to have a standard in place from the start of this year at the latest. I have no powers, statutory or otherwise, to defer the application of this requirement.

If Ireland does not introduce this standard now, we will be in serious breach of the EU regulations governing the CAP Strategic Plans. This will lead to significant financial penalties until resolved.

The standard proposed provides a baseline protection for carbon rich soils, while allowing agricultural activity to continue. Farmers with peatlands will be able to maintain existing drains, reseed grassland, and use shallow ploughing much as they do now. Therefore I am confident the introduction of this standard will have minimal impact on farmers’ day to day operations.

Farmers and other stakeholders have been consulted in detail. Proposals were first discussed with farm organisations in 2023. Most recently, it was discussed with the CSP Monitoring Committee on 10 January. I also met with the farm bodies on this matter since I became Minister. While there is no consensus among stakeholders, I believe the proposal is one that strikes the balance between the essential protection of the carbon rich soils, which is the legal requirement, and protecting a farmer’s right to farm.

My Department has informed farmers and Farm Advisory Service (FAS) advisors of the proposed requirements. It has made the peatlands map available as a layer on the AgFood system.

It should be noted the proposal is subject to final approval by the European Commission. Once approved, my Department will write to every farmer involved to confirm which parcels are in scope and what the exact requirements are.