Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 February 2014
492. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way he foresees smart technology improving the efficiency of the agrifood sector while protecting the sustainability of the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6358/14]
View answerThe Irish agricultural production system is already recognised as being one of the most efficient in the world. The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) has found that Irish dairy production has the joint lowest carbon footprint in the EU. The footprint of Irish beef is also below the EU average. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has also found that the temperate grassland production system, which is the predominant system of production in Ireland, is one of the most efficient in the world.
My Department is aware of the need to identify cost effective abatement options that can reduce carbon emissions while at the same time improving farm profitability. We are now preparing the agriculture sectoral roadmap under the Heads of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill published in early 2013. The sectoral roadmap for agriculture will take into account the targets in the industry's Food Harvest 2020 strategy as well as the existing mitigation commitments. However, it is important that the roadmap will also outline a longer term view and will seek to balance the objectives of allowing the food industry to grow so as to meet the food security challenges that face the world; as well as the need to meet future climate change ambition.
The recently published Environmental Analysis Report on Food Harvest 2020 has found that the adoption and use of high technology and best production methodologies at farm production level will yield the best environmental outcomes and result in the most effective mitigation measures. The preparation of the new Rural Development Programme (RDP) for the period 2014-2020 is being informed by the findings and recommendations in this report, and will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas.
I have recently published a consultation document outlining a range of measures proposed for inclusion in the new RDP. The measures have been designed to support the Smart Green Growth message of Food Harvest 2020 and thus will encompass the themes of technology, efficiency and sustainability referenced by the Deputy.
The main elements of the consultation document in terms of proposed measures are:
- a substantial new agri-environment/climate scheme (GLAS), which will build on the progress made under REPS and AEOS. The Scheme aims to deliver overarching benefits in terms of the rural environment and address issues of climate change mitigation, water quality and the preservation of habitats and species.
- incentives for on-farm capital investment, which will incorporate support for investments with clear sustainability benefits.
- knowledge transfer and innovation measures including support for the European Innovation Partnership. These knowledge transfer measures are aimed at underpinning farm viability, sustainability and growth through the adoption of best practice and innovative solutions.
- a new beef data and genomic technology measure worth up to €52 million per year. This scheme will have a range of benefits in terms of sustainability, profitability, animal health and welfare, quality assurance, and herd quality;
- other supports aimed at collaborative farming, artisan producers and organic farming.
These measures are currently the subject of a public consultation process which is open to written submissions by 19 February.
Genomic technology, in which we are a world leader, uses DNA finger printing to increase the efficiency of animal breeding programmes by identifying high performance at a very early stage. The application of this technology on a national scale through my investment in this programme aims to secure this technology's adoption in the National Suckler herd similar to its widespread adoption in the National Dairy herd. It supports efficiency gains which deliver benefits directly to the farmer in terms of output and financial return as well as to the environment as we improve our efficiency of production systems.
This type of smart investment will ensure that we remain as efficient as possible in our production systems. Irish agriculture has already achieved significant progress in production efficiency including the use of fertiliser and manure, grassland management, improved breeding and better fertility. Essential ongoing research into new technologies is being undertaken to maintain our economic and environmental competitive advantages. The level of emissions from agriculture has been steadily decreasing in recent years and my Department will continue to work with state and industry stakeholders so as seek even greater future efficiencies in a sustainable Irish agriculture sector.
