Environment Council Report July 2026

1. Activity since last National Council 
2. In May, following sustained engagement by the IFA, Minister Heydon announced amendments to the Ranking and Selection System (RASS) for nutrient storage investments under TAMS 3. Applications submitted from 20^th June 2026 (Tranche 13) now receive an additional 40 ranking points, improving farmers’ access to grant aid for nutrient storage investments. The Minister also confirmed that 75% of eligible nutrient storage applications submitted under Tranche 12 will be approved for funding. The IFA continues to advocate for a standalone nutrient storage scheme within TAMS to maximise uptake, optimise funding, and support farmers in meeting the storage requirements of the Sixth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP).
3. IFA continues to engage with Government on the implementation of the EU’s €540 million fertiliser support package. Joint correspondence issued from IFA together with Acorn, ICMSA, ICOS, IFMBA and Macra seeking an urgent meeting with Minister Heydon to discuss Ireland’s allocation, the level of national co-financing, and the timeline and mechanism for distributing support to farmers. The need for early clarity considering ongoing fertiliser market volatility, as well as the impact of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and renewed geopolitical tensions affecting fertiliser supply chains were highlighted. 
4. The IFA intensified its engagement at EU level on CBAM following the European Parliament ENVI Committee’s decision to remove the proposed emergency crisis safeguard under CBAM. The Association called on Irish MEPs and the European Parliament to reinstate the safeguard, arguing that the temporary suspension of the CBAM levy during periods of exceptional market disruption is essential to protect farm incomes, safeguard food production and strengthen EU food security while maintaining the overall objectives of the mechanism.
5. Following publication of the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine’s report on the public consultation on the key principles for developing a National Carbon Farming Framework, on 20^th May, IFA issued press statement stating that any future framework must be voluntary, farmer focused, and economically viable. The Association highlighted concerns regarding additionality, whole farm approaches and the protection of CAP payments, emphasising that carbon farming must complement productive agriculture and deliver a meaningful financial return for farmers.
   1. John Murphy and Geraldine O’Sullivan attended the Stakeholder Workshop to shape the National Carbon Farming Framework, organised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on 6^th June in Portlaoise. 
6. In April, IFA prepared a briefing note on Carbon Tax: Agricultural Impacts, Revenue Allocation and Case for Reform, see enclosed. 
7. The Independent Advisory Committee (IAC) on Nature Restoration launched its recommendations report on 29^th April 2026. The Committee presented 94 recommendations to inform the development of Ireland’s forthcoming Nature Restoration Plan. Paul O’Brien who represented the IFA on the Independent Advisory Committee attached the launch. The Committee key recommendations were that (i) a minimum investment of €700 million will be required to support implementation of the Plan to 2050, (ii) the need for early action on publicly owned lands, including national parks, nature reserves, Coillte forests and Bord na Móna bogs and (iii) recognition of the need for strong support for farmers who were viewed as key to delivering environmental outcomes. In advance of launch of public consultation IFA attended a number of stakeholder events, these included the: 
   1. UCD Earth Institute seminar, Developing a Nature Restoration Plan for Ireland on 28^th April 2026 in Dublin.
   1. Hometree conference, Changing Landscapes Conference 2026: The Politics and Power Dynamic of Nature Restoration at Scale, on the 14^th May in Clare. 

The IFA held three regional public meetings in Kerry, Leitrim and Tullamore to coincide with the launch of the first public consultation on Ireland’s draft Nature Restoration Plan. In advance of the regional meetings an online Environment Committee meeting was held on the 29^th May to get feedback from the committee. The regional meetings provided farmers with an opportunity to engage directly with the consultation process and outline their views on the proposals. Minister Christopher O’Sullivan joined the Tullamore meeting online. The draft Nature Restoration Plan is due to be submitted to the European Commission by September 2026. Before it is draft plan is finalised, it will undergo a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and an Appropriate Assessment (AA) to assess its environmental impacts and its potential effects on European protected sites. A copy of the IFA’s submission to the public consultation is attached. The key issues raised by farmers at the meetings included: 

• the need for voluntary participation and legal certainty, 
  • adequate funding, compensation and long-term financial commitments, 
  • addressing legacy issues on designated lands, 
  • a lack of clarity regarding the proposed measures, 
  • fairness and stronger leadership in the management of State-owned lands, 
  • ensuring the impacts of rewetting on neighbouring farmland are fully considered, 
  • a partnership approach that builds trust and respects farmers’ knowledge and experience 
  • protecting food production and the economic viability of family farms.
• An IFA delegation led by IFA President, Francie Gorman and National Environment Chair, John Murphy met with the newly appointed EPA Director General, Eimear Cotter and newly appointed Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment, Roni Hawe on the 1^st May in Dublin. Issues discussed at meeting included water quality, greenhouse gas emissions, EU simplification omnibus and communication. 
• On 6^th May, Paul O’Brien, South Leinster Regional Chair and Infrastructure Project Team Chair, together with Geraldine O’Sullivan, Senior Policy Executive, appeared before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture and Food to present the IFA’s position on the impact of Greenway development and the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs). Following the hearing, the IFA issued a press statement, Use of CPOs for Greenways is a No Go – IFA. A copy of the opening statement is enclosed.
• In June the National Agricultural Inspection Programme (NAIP) report published the findings of the farm inspections completed by local authorities in 2025, as required under the Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters Regulations.

• In June the EPA published Water Quality in 2025: An Indicators report. The report provides an update on the key indicators of the quality of Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal and groundwaters using monitoring data collected in 2025. It shows that 54% of rivers are in good or high ecological status. See summary of key findings of reports below:

• The Irish Fiscal Advisory Council report, The Hidden Costs of Inaction, was published on the 1^st July. IFA issued a press statement expressing concern at the modelling assumptions in the report around meeting agricultural emissions targets, particularly scenarios reliant on significant reductions in livestock numbers. The statement highlighted the need for a balanced approach focused on investment in practical mitigation measures, innovation and technology to reduce emissions while protecting farm viability, rural economies and Ireland’s food production capacity.
• The final report for phase 2 of the National Land Use Review, A Living Land, was published on the 2^nd July. The report highlighted the need for an integrated land use governance framework in Ireland to better coordinate policy objectives and support sustainable multifunctional land use. The report identified six key areas for action: leadership, governance and institutions, public lands, knowledge and data, capabilities, and finance.
• The EPA Ireland’s Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2025 report was published on 8^th July, it shows that agriculture emission decreased by following information was contained within the report: 

• The Just Commission published Towards a Just Transition in Agriculture and Land Use report on the 16^th July. The report makes ten recommendations including the need for long term and equitable funding for climate action and land-use, rewarding ecosystem services, supporting diverse and active farming systems and fair governance, markets and rural participation. 
• IFA made submission to the public consultation on the Draft Heritage Ireland 2030 Mid-Term Review (2026) on the 15^th May.  
• IFA made submission to the public consultation on the Mid-Term Review of Food Vision 2030 on the 28^th May. 
• IFA made online submission to the public consultation on the Significant Water Management Issues for the fourth cycle Water Action Plan 2028-2033 on the 19^th June. 
• Geraldine O’Sullivan attended online seminar on Nature Credits Markets – Finnish Concept Already in Use organised by MTK (Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners, Finland) on the 11^th May. 
• Geraldine O’Sullivan attended the IFFPG Management meeting 15^th May and 3^rd July, while John Murphy and Geraldine O’Sullivan attend the Board meeting 20^th May.
• An IFA Infrastructure Project Team meeting was held on 20^th May in Portlaoise. 
• John Murphy and Geraldine O’Sullivan attended the EPA Annual Climate Conference on 27^th May in Dublin. 
• John Murphy and Geraldine O’Sullivan participated in an ASSAP External Review panel online on 29^th May. 
• John Murphy and Geraldine O’Sullivan attended the Stakeholder Workshop to shape the National Carbon Farming Framework, organised by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on 6^th June in Portlaoise. 
• John Murphy attended the Teagasc open day, Farming for a Better Future, on the 10^th June in Johnstown Castle, Wexford.
• Geraldine O’Sullivan held an online meeting with Peatland Finance Ireland (PFI) on 15^th June to discuss the peatland standard and getting involved in community advisory committee.
• John Murphy attended the Better Farming for Water Campaign event in the Blackwater catchment area which focussed on reducing nitrogen load in the catchment on the 18^th June in Kilworth, Cork.
• Liam Delaney and Geraldine O’Sullivan attended the EPA Water conference, Strengthening the Measures, on the 17^th and 18^thJune in Galway.  
• An online IFA Environment Management Committee meeting on 19^th June to discuss water quality and attribution of pressures to agriculture. 
• Geraldine O’Sullivan attended the Q2 ASSAP/ACP Farm Consultative Group meeting on 22^nd June in Oakpark, Carlow. 
• Geraldine O’Sullivan attended the NESC Climate Reflection Consultation workshop on 23^rd June in Dublin. 
• John Murphy and Geraldine O’Sullivan attended the 33^rd Agriculture Water Quality Working Group meeting on 3^rd July in Portlaoise
• Geraldine O’Sullivan attended the EPA Advisory Committee meeting on 6^th July in Dublin. 
• Geraldine O’Sullivan attended the EPA online briefing – Ireland’s Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2025 on 8^th July. 
• Geraldine O’Sullivan attended the IIEA From Protest to Partnership: Rethinking Europe’s Agricultural Transition event on 17^thJuly in Dublin. 

• Any EU/COPA developments
• John Murphy and Geraldine O’Sullivan attend the COPA Environment Working Party and Civil Dialogue Group on the 1^st and 2^nd June in Brussels.
• The EU Evaluation of the Nitrates Directive was published on the 15^th July. The evaluation recognises that farmers have made significant progress over the past three decades in improving nutrient management and reducing pollution while maintaining food production. The Commission is not signalling major changes to the core requirements of the Nitrates Directive. See enclosed briefing note on the key findings and implications for Ireland. 

• Upcoming issues
• IFA is preparing a submission the public consultation and stress test on the EU Birds and Habitats Directives, which closes on the 10^th August 2026.
• IFA is preparing submission to the public consultation on the next update to the Climate Action Plan – Climate Priorities, which is due 17^th August 2026.  
• IFA is working on a position paper on Nitrates Directive and the derogation as part of the EU Simplification Omnibus review and will seek to ensure that this file is prioritised during Ireland’s EU Presidency.
• IFA continues to meet with Uisce Eireann to secure changes to the Non-Domestic Tariff Framework (NDTF) tariffs for farmers with multiple connections.