Written answers
Tuesday, 29 July 2025
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Agriculture Supports
Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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2245. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made to date by his Department in relation to the introduction of a national framework for carbon farming to guide the development of a carbon farming scheme to strengthen farm incomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44140/25]
Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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There is a commitment to deliver a Carbon Farming Framework under the Programme for Government and as part of the Climate Action Plan process. Work is ongoing in developing a verifiable framework for carbon farming at both at EU and national level.
My Department held a public consultation in September 2023 on carbon farming, and positive feedback was received from stakeholders regarding the potential opportunities in this area. Stakeholders were supportive of an approach that included carbon removal, greenhouse gas reductions and biodiversity measures in a National Carbon Farming Framework. Stakeholder engagement will continue to inform future policy developments.
The development of Carbon Farming is evolving at a European level with the European Commission publishing the EU regulation (EU 2024/3012) establishing a Union certification framework for permanent carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products (CRCF) in December 2024 creating the first EU-wide voluntary framework for certifying carbon removals, carbon farming and carbon storage in products.
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.
In terms of next steps, the development of a framework at a National level is a clear commitment, to ensure and provide confidence that activities undertaken are delivered through a common set of rules but in turn are governed consistently and recorded appropriately. To support the development of a National Carbon Farming Framework, a necessary first step is to provide guidance to stakeholders in the areas of carbon removal, emission reductions, and ecosystem services. Also, this provides the potential opportunity to attract additional funding while streamlining the integration and alignment of both public and private sector funding. While this is a complex policy area, it is clear carbon farming can play a key role in future policy and it is my intention to bring an update to Government on this matter in the near future.
Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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2246. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action being undertaken by his Department to support women in agriculture, in particular in relation to female farm succession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44141/25]
Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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2247. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the implementation of the National Women in Agriculture Action Plan, to support gender equality in the agriculture sector, in particular in relation to female farm succession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44142/25]
Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2246 and 2247 together.
Advancing the role of women in the agriculture sector is a key priority for me and is included in the new Programme for Government. Delivery of the National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture and publication of the Women in Agriculture Action Plan were two major milestones in progressing this aim. All 12 actions in the Plan have been commenced and are progressing well. The Working Group in conjunction with my Department has;
- Delivered a series of events to encourage greater female participation, build knowledge, promote peer-to-peer interaction, expand networks and facilitate direct engagement with mentors.
- Made a submission to the National Council for Curriculum Assessment, to encourage the incorporation of additional material on women and girls in agriculture in the curriculum.
- Sponsored a “Women in Agriculture Studies Gender Excellence Award”, in conjunction with the UCD School of Agri-Food & Science in March of this year.
- Completed a review of DAFM schemes to ensure equality of participation is available to female farmers. A guidance document and checklist have been drafted for circulation to all DAFM staff to ensure best practice when formulating future scheme documentation.
- Completed a review of the herd number application process. Following stakeholder consultation, updated information, a new guidance document and application forms were published, and training was provided to agricultural agents.
- Established a dedicated area on my Department's website as a central information and education resource.
Additionally, agri-food State Boards were asked to promote gender-balance strategies within their organisations and wider areas of remit. Positive updates have been provided from key organisations including Bord Bia, Teagasc, and Coillte.
Work in relation to the implementation of the Action Plan is ongoing, including to promote and normalise female succession, and I am committed to progressing initiatives to improve the experience of women and young girls in Irish agriculture.
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