Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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702. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline, with respect to the Nature Restoration Law, the assurances he can provide that Irish farmers will not face mandatory rewetting obligations; the way in which his Department is ensuring farmer consultation in shaping related policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37386/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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With regard to the specific requirements to rewet organic soils in agricultural use, the nature restoration regulation is quite clear that the obligation is on the state, not on landowners in relation to rewetting.

The Government has been clear that any restoration measures that landowners choose to participate in will be completely voluntary.

From the outset, the Government has committed to an open and transparent engagement process to underpin the development of a National Restoration Plan (NRP) that works for society and for nature. A fully accessible, inclusive multi-tiered model has been developed to ensure the views of all citizens, at all levels are captured and reflected in the final NRP. This process is led by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), the leading authority for the Nature Restoration Law nationally.

The Leaders’ Forum is a cross-sectoral dialogue at the most senior level to discuss the overall trajectory of the NRP and identify key risks and opportunities. Two Leaders' Forum meetings have taken place to date which included individuals representing farmer organisations. A 3rd Farmer-focussed forum “farming for the future” will take place on 9 July.

A separate Community Conversation exercise is being developed and this will launch over the summer. It will be a locally-led participatory engagement model that aims to inform and hear the views of groups around the country. This will provide opportunities at all levels for genuine exploration and dialogue and to create a country-wide conversation about what EU Nature Restoration Law (NRL) means for all citizens including those in our farming communities.