Vol. 527 No. 3
65 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the implications for farming of the proposal in the Government's National Climate Change Strategy to cut livestock levels by 10% over the next ten years in order to reduce greenhouse gases; the assistance he will provide for those whose herds may be cut; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28436/00]
One of the objectives in the national climate change strategy is to secure methane reductions of 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in emissions from livestock. This reduction is equivalent to, rather than an actual, 10% reduction in livestock numbers by the year 2010. It will be achieved by a combination of some stock reduction based on current EU policies and coupled with extensification and other management measures in REPS. A research programme will also be undertaken by Teagasc to identify feeding regimes, appropriate to Irish conditions, that reduce methane emissions from individual animals. The research will look at the use of feed additives, probiotics and engineering, changes in level of concentrate feeding, changes in the system of cattle production with focus on finishing them at a younger age and improved feeding and management at farm level.
When this extensive research has been carried out, my Department will be in a better position to quantify any element of stock reduction.
