Referring to the recent Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (AERA) Committee evidence session, Ms Lockhart said: “Further scrutiny is warranted. The committee had an opportunity to press for greater clarity and accountability before allowing this legislation to advance. That opportunity should not have been missed.

“It is disappointing and hugely concerning that the AERA Committee did not seek to secure further scrutiny of these proposals. It is worthy of note that four Sinn Féin and Alliance members supported the policy, the content of which is largely unknown, while four DUP and UUP politicians did not. The SDLP member left the room a short time before the vote took place.”

The Upper Bann MP has warned that proposals to make carbon auditing a condition of future farm support risks imposing unjustified bureaucracy on farmers.

She said: “Farmers must not be burdened with further unjustified bureaucracy, particularly when it is being marketed under the guise of sustainability. DAERA is pushing carbon auditing towards becoming a mandatory condition of receiving future farm support, with financial penalties hanging over those who fail to comply.

“Farmers need vital financial support to sustain and future-proof their businesses. That support should not be used as leverage to force them into complying with additional regulatory requirements designed to satisfy political climate targets.”

Carla Lockhart MP added: “It is evident that DAERA officials are pressing ahead with draft legislation, despite the fact there is insufficient detail available to allow thorough scrutiny of the policy and its potential long-term consequences.

“That is unacceptable! Before these proposals progress any further, farmers deserve full transparency about what is being required of them, why it is necessary, how it will operate in practice and what it will cost their businesses.

“Let me be clear: the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 establishes legally binding emission reduction targets, but it does not require individual carbon audits to become a mandatory condition of farm support.”

Ms Lockhart continued: “Stormont must have a serious and meaningful debate about the most effective and proportionate way to meet environmental objectives, without placing the livelihoods of farming families at risk.

“I am particularly concerned that carbon footprint calculators measure emissions without adequately accounting for the carbon sequestration taking place on farms. Any assessment that fails to recognise the full picture risks presenting a misleading and unfair account of agriculture’s environmental contribution.”

She added: “Farmers are already investing considerable time, money and effort in improving environmental performance. They are not opposed to doing their bit, but they expect policies to be based on sound evidence, common sense and a realistic understanding of food production.

“The Soil Nutrient Health Scheme, the Bovine Genetics Project and carbon auditing should be offered as practical, voluntary tools, rather than a series of compulsory hurdles, backed by financial penalties, that farmers must adhere to simply to receive financial support.”

The MP said Minister Muir’s direction of travel is leading to frustration and anxiety among farmers.

“Are these measures being developed in response to the needs of the agricultural industry, or is environmental ideology being prioritised over a sustainable agriculture agenda? “she asked.

Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector is a major economic asset, supporting jobs, businesses and rural communities. Ms Lockhart commented: “We cannot afford to undermine it with ill-thought-out policy.”

“It is also unacceptable that money intended to support sustainable agriculture could be diverted towards implementing mandatory carbon auditing. If the Department believes these measures are necessary to meet wider climate objectives, then funding should be sought through appropriate mechanisms, such as the Just Transition Fund, rather than taking resources away from the Sustainable Agriculture Programme and the farmers it is intended to support.”

Carla Lockhart continued: “Officials have indicated they are developing their own pathway to comply with the legislation, rather than pursuing approaches that would involve reducing livestock numbers.

“It is vitally important to establish precisely what is being proposed, what outcomes are expected and how success will be measured. Farmers must not be left facing significant costs and penalties for a scheme whose practical benefits remain unclear.

“The Minister must also explain how these proposals will deliver tangible benefits for farm businesses, rather than simply creating another compliance exercise. Carbon auditing must not become an expensive box-ticking exercise imposed to satisfy political targets, regardless of whether it delivers meaningful environmental improvements.”

She added: “Stormont must back our farming community, not side-line it or sacrifice the economic future of rural Northern Ireland with a woke climate change agenda.

“I would strongly encourage farmers to contact their MLAs over the coming weeks and make their concerns known before this legislation reaches its next stage in the Assembly chamber. Elected representatives need to understand the potential consequences for farm businesses, family livelihoods and the wider rural economy.



“Change must be driven by sound evidence, genuine practical benefits and meaningful engagement with those who work the land every day. Farmers must be part of shaping the solution, not treated as a problem to be managed by box ticking bureaucrats.”