'Carbon auditing must not be forced on farmers' - Concern raised and views sought on carbon foot printing requirement

They added that with the committee now undertaking a four-week review, gathering evidence from industry representatives, the DAERA and wider stakeholders, the UFU is calling for a ‘fair, practical and proportionate approach that supports farmers rather than placing further conditions on vital farm payments’. UFU deputy president Glenn Cuddy said, “Our position is clear. Carbon auditing must not be forced on farmers as a condition of receiving the Farm Sustainability Payment.

“We are not opposed to carbon foot printing, but it should be a voluntary tool that may assist farmers in identifying opportunities for improvement, not another mandatory requirement tied to vital farm support. “We recognise the importance of reducing emissions in Northern Ireland and supporting farmers to improve environmental outcomes but it is also important that climate policy reflects the particular characteristics of agricultural emissions, including methane, and recognises the circumstances of Northern Ireland’s livestock sector.

"Farmers need a system that is scientifically robust, balanced and capable of recognising both emissions and the positive contribution farms make through carbon sequestration. “Carbon footprint calculators measure emissions but do not adequately account for carbon sequestration on farms.

"Until there is a more complete and balanced method of assessment, it is unreasonable to expect farmers to accept mandatory carbon accounting as a condition of receiving support. “Equally concerning is the proposal to fund the scheme through the Sustainable Agriculture Programme budget rather than Just Transition funding. Farmers’ direct support should not be redirected to finance additional compulsory requirements.” The UFU also highlighted that while the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 establishes legally binding emissions reduction targets and provides for fully funded farm carbon audits, it does not specifically require individual carbon auditing to be made a mandatory condition of the Farm Sustainability Payment.

“There is an important distinction between meeting our climate obligations and making carbon auditing compulsory as a condition of farm support,” Mr Cuddy added.

"Farmers are already working to improve the sustainability and efficiency of their businesses, and any approach must recognise those efforts while ensuring they are properly supported. “Over the next four weeks, we will work closely with the AERA Committee to ensure the concerns of our members are strongly represented.

"Our position remains unchanged. Carbon auditing should be voluntary, properly funded and based on a fair and scientifically robust assessment of farm emissions and sequestration. “Farmers are willing to play their part in addressing climate change, but they must be supported and encouraged to do so, not forced into a system that fails to recognise the full environmental contribution of their farms.”

Meanwhile Sinn Féin MLA Declan McAleer said farmers views are sought on proposed carbon footprinting regulations.

The party's agriculture spokesperson said: “The proposed Farm Sustainability Payment Scheme (Eligibility Etc) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 proposes to introduce a requirement for farmers to complete carbon footprinting training by 15 May 2029.

"Under this regulation, failure to register and take part in the training will result in a reduction to their Farm Sustainability Payment, starting off at 15% from 2030.

''This is a DAERA funded carbon audit for each farm and the only requirement is to register for it and do the training, just like the soil sampling scheme.

''This week, the AERA committee agreed to open this draft regulation for a 2 week public consultation to get peoples views and following this, the regulation would have to be debated and agreed by the Assembly.

Speaking at the AERA committee the West Tyrone MLA said: ''Any carbon audit must not only take account of the greenhouse gasses that are emitted on farms but also the huge amount of gasses that are sequestered (absorbed) on farms thanks to the hard work of farmers in maintaining their fields, hedges, woodlands and peatlands.

''The DAERA-funded audit which is expected to cost approx. £15m over 4 years must not come out of the agriculture ring-fenced budget but from a separate just transition fund.

''The link to respond to the consultation will be posted on the AERA Cttee website in the coming days and we strongly encourage people to make their views known.”