Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2023
483. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on proposals for a ploughing ban and regulations on the required use of minimum or no till cultivation techniques on carbon-rich soils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21295/23]
View answerWithin the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), the term conditionality refers to the legislative requirements and minimum standards that farmers in receipt of CAP payments must comply with in the period from 2023 to 2027. This replaces the so called “Cross Compliance” requirements in the previous CAP.
The conditionality requirements in the CSP are implemented using two mechanisms: Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) and Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC).
The main objective of GAEC 2 is the protection of carbon-rich soils, and this requires protection of wetland and peatland to be implemented within each Member State. Ireland has indicated in the CSP that this standard will apply from 2024.
As I previously indicated to the Deputy, my Department is working in conjunction with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre to identify the relevant lands and to identify the appropriate means of protecting these carbon-rich soils.
Large quantities of carbon are stored in peatlands and wetlands, and certain agricultural practices (e.g. ploughing) may have a negative impact on such soils with regard to carbon storage. The minimum standards established for management under this GAEC will be aimed at minimising carbon loss from such soils. These will be considered further following the mapping and review process.
The GAEC 2 provisions will be subject to the agreement and approval of the European Commission, and Ireland's CSP will be amended when this process is completed.
