There is a whole of Government approach to climate policy as set out in the National Climate Policy Position. Officials from my Department work very closely with other Departments and in particular with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, which is the lead department in this area. Policy in the agricultural sector is formed around "an approach to carbon neutrality" which addresses both sequestration and emissions mitigation. Methane accounts for approximately 22% of Ireland's GHG emissions.
Current research into reducing methane emissions is primarily focused on reducing emissions per unit product (ie. reducing emissions intensity). This research is primarily focused on improving productivity per animal and thus decoupling animal numbers from production. Most of this research is focused on developing economic breeding indices (EBI), extension of the grazing season, reducing beef finishing times (and reducing total methane per animal) and optimising beef and dairy animals via the use of sexed semen. Many of these measures are currently in use or being commenced.
Carbon audits by our Food Agency (An Bord Bia) are placing new emphasis on reduction in emissions intensity of beef and dairy produce.
Through the deployment of innovative and efficient practices at farm level, combined with the application of emerging scientific knowledge, Ireland can take the necessary steps towards addressing the challenge of greenhouse gas emissions, including methane, in the Irish agriculture sector. In the Rural Development Programme, there are some 38,000 farmers taking part in the Green Low carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) and 24,000 herds are in the Beef Data Genomics Programme, which is a world-leading initiative to improve the quality of breeding of our beef cattle.
Under the 2015 Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, a National Mitigation Plan is being prepared. This work is overseen by Government through a hierarchy of committees and sub-groups, with independent advice from the Climate Change Advisory Council. These committees and groups include the Cabinet Committee and Senior Officials' Group on Infrastructure, Environment and Climate Action, a Technical Research and Modelling Group and a Domestic Climate Finance Group.
Food Wise 2025 – the strategic plan for the sustainable development of agri-food sector over the next decade - provides a framework for the agri sector to engage with the National Mitigation Plan. Food Wise builds on its predecessor and focuses on the continued growth in the value of Irish agri-food including dairy production. While this is likely to mean some increase in dairy numbers, it is not expected that there will be a significant increase in overall cattle numbers.
There is a strong commitment in Food Wise 2025 to measure and monitor the sustainability credentials of the sector. As part of the implementation of Food Wise, an Environmental Sustainability Committee has been established. This implementation process will include evaluation and assessment of the delivery of sustainability and mitigation actions.
My Department continues to invest in and engage with research initiatives to further assist with the refinement, development and deployment of new and innovative practices to reduce Green House Gases that are associated with agricultural production.
