STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL

ASSESSMENT SCREENING REPORT

Adaptation Planning - Developing Resilience to

Climate Change in the Irish Agriculture and Forest

Sector

Determination of the need for a Strategic Environmental

Assessment for the Agriculture and Forest Sectoral Climate Change

Adaptation Planning Document prepared under the National

Climate Change Adaptation Framework

Climate Change and Bioenergy Policy Division Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Table of Contents

1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 1

2. Purpose of the Plan ............................................................................................................................. 1

3. SEA Screening Process ........................................................................................................................ 2

4. Stage One: Screening Decision Process .............................................................................................. 2

5. Stage Two: Environmental Significant Screening ................................................................................ 2

6. Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 3

References .............................................................................................................................................. 4

Appendices .............................................................................................................................................. 5

1. Introduction The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 provides for the submission of five-

yearly National Mitigation Plans and iterative National Adaptation Frameworks to Government.

Sectoral and local adaptation plans are also required.

Prior to the Act, in December 2012 the National Climate Change Adaptation Framework (NCCAF) was

launched to provide a strategic policy focus to ensure adaptation measures are taken across

different sectors and levels of government to reduce Ireland’s vulnerability to the negative impacts

of climate change. The framework sets out the requirement for the development and

implementation of sectoral and local adaptation action plans which will form part of the

comprehensive national response to the impact of climate change (DECLG, 2012).

The framework identified the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) as the lead

department charged with the development of the marine, agriculture and forest Sectoral Adaptation

Plans (SAPs). These documents will precede the adaptation plan requirements of the Climate Action

and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 but will be important to informing reports to the EU

adaptation strategy.

Clearly, as well as an influencing element, the Irish agriculture and forest sector is also reliant on

environmental and climatic factors, therefore adapting to changes in climate is crucial for the

continued development of the sector.

2. Purpose of the Plan The document entitled “Adaptation Planning - Developing Resilience to Climate Change in the Irish

Agriculture and Forest Sector” has been prepared under the National Climate Change Adaptation

Framework. It will inform the development of DAFM policy on climate change adaptation in relation

to the agriculture and forest sector based on a current understanding of the consequences of

climate change for the sector within Ireland.

The approach used to create the document includes:

A review of current climate vulnerabilities via a comprehensive vulnerability assessment.

Identification of climatic impacts, priority areas and current response capacity.

Analysis of future risk areas based on current vulnerabilities and projected changes to climatic

drivers.

Identification, assessment and prioritisation of adaptation options.

Establishment of a monitoring, review and evaluation process.

The document identifies current and potential cross sectoral areas where vulnerabilities may lead to

areas of reduced resilience and identify policy options to build resilience in the agriculture and forest

sector to the effects of climate change. The main objective of the document is to ensure that all

policies, strategies, plans and measures for, or related to, agriculture and forest must be informed of

the need to adapt to the potential impacts of climate change.

It is envisaged that detailed adaptation options will be set out in the various policies, strategies,

plans and measures developed within the agriculture and forest sector. Each of these national

policies, strategies, plans and measures will, where appropriate, be subject to screening for Strategic

Environmental Assessment (SEA) and/or screening for Appropriate Assessment (AA). Depending on

the outcome of the screening process these policies, strategies, plans and measures plans will

continue to full SEA and AA, as appropriate.

The document does not specifically direct interaction of other sectors in terms of adaptation

options; however, it sets out possible cross-sectoral areas for consideration by those sectors. The

Plan will be revised every 5 years or as directed. A summary of adaptation options is held in

Appendix 3.

3. SEA Screening Process The requirements of the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plan and

Programmes) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 435 of 2004) (hereafter, ‘the SEA Regulations’), as amended

by the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes)

(Amendment) Regulations, 2011 (S.I. 200 of 2011), have been taken into account. Section 9 (4) of SI

No. 435 of 2004 requires the screening of individual plans or programmes, based on the criteria in

Schedule 1 of the SEA Regulations. These criteria must be taken into account in determining whether

or not significant effects on the environment would be likely to arise.

The SEA screening process undertaken by DAFM is consistent with the process as recommended by

the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publication entitled Development of Strategic

Environment Assessment (SEA) Methodologies for Plans and Programmes in Ireland – Synthesis

Report, specifically Stage 1 (Screen of Plans and Programmes).

Following receipt of submissions as part of the consultation process the screening process was

reconsidered.

An Appropriate Assessment Screening Report has also been carried out in line with Article 6(3) of the

EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).

4. Stage One: Screening Decision Process As outlined in the Development of Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) Methodologies for Plans

and Programmes in Ireland – Synthesis Report a decision tree pre-screening check was carried out.

The decision process and responses to the administrative questions are outlined in Appendix 1.

The outcome of the decision tree pre-screening check is that the Planning document does not

require an SEA as it does not provide a framework for the development consent for projects.

5. Stage Two: Environmental Significant Screening While the pre-screening process indicated that an SEA is not required, further assessment was

carried out using the environmental criteria contained in Schedule 1 of the SEA Regulations.

A table detailing the environmental significance screening is available in Appendix 2. The outcome of

this screening is that a full SEA is not required.

6. Conclusion The conclusion reached following the pre-screening check, the review against the environmental

significance criteria as set out in Schedule 1 of the SEA Regulations, and consideration of submissions

is that a full Strategic Environmental Assessment is not required for the following reasons:

The document does not require a framework for development consent for projects listed in the

EIA Directive.

The purpose of the document is to inform DAFM policy on the adaptation to climate change

within the agriculture and forest sector. However, the document does not set out projects or

propose specific measures. Adaptation options will be set out in the various policies, strategies,

plans and measures developed within the agriculture and forest sector.

Each of these national policies, strategies, plans and measures will, where appropriate, be

subject to screening for Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and/or screening for

Appropriate Assessment (AA). Depending on the outcome of the screening process these

policies, strategies, plans and measures plans will continue to full SEA and AA, as appropriate.

Any environmental effects uncovered will be considered within this process.

References Department of Environment, Community and Local Government (2012) National Climate Change

Adaptation Framework

Environmental Protection Agency (2003) Development of Strategic Environmental Assessment

Methodologies for Plans and Programmes in Ireland (2001 DS-EEP-2/5). Synthesis Report and

associated Final Report. Prepared for the Environmental Protection Agency by Environmental

Resources Management (ERM) Limited.

European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations

2004 (S.I. 435 of 2004)

European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) (Amendment)

Regulations 2011 (S.I. 200 of 2011)

Appendices

Appendix 1 – Decision Tree

1

Is the plan subject to preparation and or adoption by a National, Regional or Local Authority?

OR Prepared by an authority for adoption through a legislative procedure by parliament or government?

Yes

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the

Marine is required to prepare a Climate Change Sectoral

Adaptation Plan for the Agriculture and Forest Sector under the National Climate

Change Adaptation Framework

Proceed to

Question 2

2 Is the Plan required by legislative, regulatory or administrative provision?

Yes The National Climate Change

Adaptation Framework

Proceed to

Question 3

3

Is the sole purpose of the Plan to serve national defence or civil emergency or is it

a financial /budget Plan or is it co-financed by the current SF/RDF

programme?

No The document does not meet

these criterion

Proceed to

Question 4

4

Is the Plan prepared for agriculture, forestry, fisheries, energy, industry,

transport, waste management, telecoms, tourism, town and county

planning or land use?

Yes The document is being

prepared for the agriculture and forest sector.

Proceed to

Question 5

5 Does the Plan provide for a framework

for development consent for the projects listed in the EIA Directive?

No

The document identifies adaptation challenges that need to be considered to develop resilience to climate change within the agriculture and forest sector

and while it will influence sectoral programmes it will not provide a

framework for development consent projects listed in the EIA Directive.

SEA not required

Pre-Screening Decision Process: Agriculture and Forest Sectoral Climate Change Adaptation Plan

Appendix 2 – Schedule 1 - Article 9

SCHEDULE 1 - Article 9

Criteria for determining whether a Plan or Programme (or Modification thereto) is likely to have significant effects on the Environment

A. The characteristics of the plan or programme, or modification to a plan or programme, having

regard, in particular, to:

Criteria DAFM Response

The degree to which the plan or

programme, or modification to a plan or

programme, sets a framework for

projects and other activities, either with

regard to the location, nature, size and

operating conditions or by allocating

resources.

The document will not set a framework for future

development consent of projects, i.e. projects listed in

both Annex I and Annex II of the Environmental Impact

Assessment Directive

The degree to which the plan or

programme, or modification to a plan or

programme, influences other plans

including those in a hierarchy.

The document will inform other future plans as its

main output is to ensure that all policies, strategies,

plans and measures for, or related to, agriculture and

forest must be informed of the need to adapt to the

potential impacts of climate change. However,

individual policies, strategies, plans and measures for,

or related to, agriculture and forest must be

considered under the SEA and, where appropriate, the

AA process.

The relevance of the plan or programme,

or modification to a plan or programme,

for the integration of environmental

considerations in particular with a view to

promoting sustainable development.

As the document is aimed at integrating climate

change adaptation into the agriculture and forest

sector, it will develop climate resilience.

The climate change adaptation actions taken will be

implemented via future plans as its main output is to

ensure that all policies, strategies, plans and measures

for, or related to, agriculture and forest must be

informed of the need to adapt to the potential impacts

of climate change. However, individual policies,

strategies, plans and measures for, or related to,

agriculture and forest must be considered under the

SEA and, where appropriate, the AA process.

Environmental problems relevant to the

plan or programme, or modification to a

plan or programme.

The document will integrate climate change

adaptation into the agriculture and forest sector. The

climate change adaptation actions taken will be

implemented via future plans as its main output is to

ensure that all policies, strategies, plans and measures

for, or related to, agriculture and forest must be

informed of the need to adapt to the potential impacts

of climate change. However, individual policies,

strategies, plans and measures for, or related to,

agriculture and forest must be considered under the

SEA and, where appropriate, the AA process.

Appendix 2 – Schedule 1 - Article 9

The relevance of the plan or programme,

or modification to a plan or programme,

for the implementation of European

Union legislation on the environment

(e.g. plans and programmes linked to

waste management or water protection).

The implementation of the Nitrates Directive will be

positively supported through the increased resilience

of the agriculture and forest sector.

B. Characteristics of the effects and of the area likely to be affected, having regard, in particular,

to:

Criteria DAFM Response

The probability, duration, frequency and reversibility of the effects

As the document is aimed at integrating climate

change adaptation into the agriculture and forest

sector, it will develop climate resilience.

The climate change adaptation actions will be

implemented via future plans as its main output is to

ensure that all policies, strategies, plans and

measures for, or related to, agriculture and forest

must be informed of the need to adapt to the

potential impacts of climate change. However,

individual policies, strategies, plans and measures

for, or related to, agriculture and forest must be

considered under the SEA and, where appropriate,

the AA process.

Any and all effects uncovered as part of this process

will be considered in relation to the characteristics of

the effects and of the area likely to be affected and

the process will have regard, in particular, to the

criteria as listed, according to the legislation.

The cumulative nature of the effects

The transboundary nature of the effects

The risks to human health or the environment (e.g. due to accidents)

The magnitude and spatial extent of the effects (geographical area and size of the population likely to be affected)

The value and vulnerability of the area likely to be affected due to:

(a) special natural characteristics or cultural heritage,

(b) exceeded environmental quality standards or limit values,

(c) intensive land-use.

The effects on areas or landscapes which have a recognised national, European Union or international protection status

Appendix 3 – Adaptation Options Table

Adaptation Options Timeframe Responsibility

National Actions

Keep under review and update the agriculture and forest

sectoral adaptation plan in the context of the Climate Action

and Low Carbon Development Act 2015.

Short -

Medium

Term

DAFM

Ensure adaptation requirements are considered during the

establishment of sectoral policies, strategies, plans and

measures.

Short Term/

Ongoing

DAFM

Implementation of relevant legislation and other statutory and

control instruments.

Short/

Ongoing

DAFM

Interagency

Interdepartmental and interagency interaction in relation to

adaptation, environmental policy development and monitoring.

Short Term/

Ongoing

DAFM and

relevant

Departments and

Agencies

Interaction with Met Éireann. Short Term/

Ongoing

DAFM

Met Éireann

Teagasc

Active participation with the Office of Emergency Planning. Short Term/

Ongoing

DAFM

Office of

Emergency

Planning

Actively participate in and support the work of the Health and

Safety Authority on farm safety especially within various

climatic situations.

Short Term/

Ongoing

DAFM

Health and Safety

Authority

Teagasc

Representative

Organisations

Knowledge Transfer and Communication

Regular communication to stakeholders including via the

knowledge transfer network and advice provision system at

local, national and interagency levels.

Short Term/

Ongoing

DAFM

Teagasc

Representative

Organisations

Continue to participate in national, international fora and

initiatives in agri-food and forest so as to share experiences and

best practices.

Short Term/

Ongoing

DAFM

Research

Sustained monitoring of research results and dissemination of

results to relevant parties.

Ongoing DAFM

Appendix 3 – Adaptation Options Table

Adaptation Options Timeframe Responsibility

Encourage policy creation which takes advantage of

technological advances in adaptation.

Short -

Medium

Term

DAFM

Monitor adaptation options in place in other countries to

extract knowledge which can be implemented within the Irish

context.

Medium

Term

DAFM

Consider the appropriateness of the introduction of new plant,

crop, tree and livestock varieties which are more resilient to

the changing climate.

Medium –

Long Term

DAFM

Encourage research into the effects of climate change and

adaptation measures through programmes such as SHARP and,

at international level, the FACCE-JPI.

Short -

Medium

Term

DAFM

Research and implement methods to monitor, review and

evaluate the adaptation options put in place.

Long Term DAFM

Land Management

Encourage Locally Led Agri-Environment and Climate Schemes

(LLAEC) such as The Burren Farming for Conservation

Programme.

Short Term DAFM

Continue research on and promotion of better land

management in light of projected climatic changes.

Short Term DAFM

Continue with pest and disease surveillance, monitoring and

research. Commence a weed surveillance and monitoring

programme.

Short Term DAFM

Research and promote improved water and irrigation

management in light of projected climatic changes.

Medium

Term

DAFM

Promote the use of forest decision support systems to support

adaptive forest management.

Short Term DAFM

Implementation of Forest Protection and Health measures. Short Term DAFM

Implementation of risk assessment and risk warning systems in

relation to uncontrolled wild fires.

Short Term DAFM

Implementation of Sustainable Forest Management including

training and advise on species selection, etc.

Short Term DAFM

Coillte

Continued implementation of the Pesticide Control Service. Short Term DAFM

Livestock Management

Implementation of animal identification and movement

monitoring programmes.

Ongoing DAFM

Appendix 3 – Adaptation Options Table

Adaptation Options Timeframe Responsibility

Promote initiatives towards improved animal health. Ongoing DAFM

Animal Health

Ireland

Representative

Organisations

Continue livestock disease and pest surveillance, monitoring

and research programmes.

Ongoing DAFM

Implementation of animal welfare codes of practice. Short Term/

Ongoing

DAFM

Representative

Organisations

Implementation of feeding stuff controls. Ongoing DAFM