Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 June 2014
15. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the interactions he and his Department have had with other Departments here, and also with he European Commission regarding meeting our EU targets on greenhouse gas emission targets; if any concerns have been expressed regarding the Harvest 2020 policy at an EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26126/14]
View answerThe 2008 Effort Sharing Decision (ESD) formed part of the EU Climate and Energy Package in 2008 for the post-Kyoto period 2013-2020. Under the Effort Sharing Decision, Ireland’s target is to reduce national greenhouse gas emissions by 20% compared to 2005 emission levels by 2020. The ESD does not set individual sectoral targets.
My Department along with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, as well as other relevant Departments, has continually made a strong case to the European Commission that there is a need for a more coherent approach to target setting as far as agriculture is concerned. In particular given that worldwide demand for production of food will increase by some 50% by 2030, EU policies must avoid downward pressure on food production, and maintain and enhance the EU contribution to sustainable global food production.
The Irish agri-food industry strategy, Food Harvest 2020 (FH2020) set targets for increases in the value of agriculture output and exports by 2020 and for a 50% increase in milk volume. The Commission is very aware of the targets contained in FH2020, and these are factored into all discussions on the 2020 targets and indeed on ambition to 2030.
The communication for a framework on climate and energy for 2030 was published by the Commission in January 2014. The inclusion of a subsection on agriculture and land use is a welcome first step towards seeking an approach to ambition for the sector that is realistic and consistent with meeting the twin challenges of sustainable food production, in the light of rising global demand, and climate change mitigation and adaptation, in the light of overall EU and global objectives.
My Department is supporting other Government Departments in negotiations on the 2030 climate framework to ensure the interests of Irish agriculture are reflected. The Department will also seek to build alliances with other member states to further support the development of appropriate policies for the treatment of agriculture and climate change.
