No plans to make a new farm-level climate program mandatory for farmers – minister

However, Agriculture Secretary Charlie McConalogue confirmed to Farming Independent that there are no plans to make the scheme mandatory.

“I don’t foresee that (it will be made mandatory), I think it’s something that farmers will embrace and have embraced. There’s a lot of work going on… OK, we have more to do. But what matters most is how we support them, and farm incomes are at the heart of this journey.”

The Minister also said there was “a tremendous understanding” of the importance of sustainability in the market place and how important it is when it comes to how Ireland retains and attracts customers, as well as adding value to Ireland’s food exports .

“Farmers are well aware of this,” he said. “I see everyone doing this and wanting to work together and play their part.”

Know my number, make my plan will give farmers and advisors access to farm data to create a baseline for emissions and guidance on how to develop an emissions reduction plan.

The three pillars of the Teagasc Climate Action Strategy are the Signpost Advisory Program, a digital sustainability platform, and a virtual national center for agri-food climate research and innovation.

Teagasc Director Prof Frank O’Mara said resources from Teagasc, ICBF and Bord Bia will be used to build the Sustainability Digital Platform. It was assured that farmers would continue to own their own data on the portal.