Sean Canney, Independent TD, and Regional Group Members successfully obtained a government guarantee that all measures under the Nature Restoration Plan will be voluntary for farmers.
The Regional Group TDs will also continue to hold the Government accountable to their commitment that restoration measures will not negatively impact any existing CAP commitment, or any other scheme or incentive delivered by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine.
Canney stated; “We also urged the Government to ensure that agricultural activities can continue on farmland while still achieving the targets set by the upcoming Nature Restoration Law.
"We also stated the urgent need to halt the decline of nature and work towards habitat restoration, but also emphasise the importance of protecting the livelihoods of farming communities. By working together, we can create a future where nature can coexist in harmony with agriculture, benefiting both our environment and our rural communities.”
Regional Group Members note that while targets up to 2030 can potentially be met using State lands, but achieving the overall 20 per cent nature restoration target will be challenging. Beyond 2030, it will become increasingly difficult to meet these targets without involving non-State lands, posing significant challenges for existing farmland.
