Time To Declare Actions To Continue To Receive Sustainability Payment

The Sustainability Action Payment dashboard has re-opened on the Tirlán FarmLife website and all farm family suppliers that wish to continue to receive the 0.5 cent per litre (including VAT) sustainability payment next year are urged to take action now.

Dairy suppliers in the Republic of Ireland are requested to  declare  seven on-farm sustainability actions, from a menu of 20 options.

A number of changes have been introduced to the Sustainability Action Payment programme to enhance both the benefits for the environment and the on-farm economics.

The purchase of Protected Urea now represents double or two of the seven actions required to receive the full payment. The use of Protected Urea instead of other fertilisers such as CAN or straight urea has been identified as an impactful on-farm action to address climate change.

In addition, Participation in a Genotyping Programme and the Water Quality EIP Programme are two new measures introduced as options to help suppliers enhance on-farm performance.

Tirlán Chairperson, John Murphy, said the latest changes are introduced to further support suppliers good work in addressing key water quality and emissions reductions challenges.

“Our farm family suppliers are renowned across the globe for producing high quality dairy products with world-leading natural credentials.  We all have a role to play in climate action, water and biodiversity protection and air quality enhancement. It is important that our family farms are assisted as they continue to enhance their environmental and economic sustainability credentials. We want to do as much as we can to improve water quality and ensure that Ireland can put the best case forward for retention of the Nitrates Derogation.

“This initiative is designed to reward suppliers for adopting a series of measures identified as key to delivering on our comprehensive sustainability strategy, Living Proof. The use of Protected Urea is counted as two actions and the addition of genotyping and the participation in Water Quality EIP Programme showcases our farmer-owned cooperatives commitment to support our farm families to become both economically and environmentally sustainable.”

The Sustainability Action Payment supports our farm family suppliers in achieving their sustainability goals and in continuing the journey  towards more resilient farms.

First Published 3 May 2024