Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 November 2020
786. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the fact that the agri-food sector produces food for more than 40 million persons on its existing carbon footprint can be borne in mind during comparisons with other EU countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35412/20]
View answerIreland’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for the agriculture sector are governed under the European Union's Effort Sharing Regulations. For the current period 2021-2030, Ireland was given additional flexibility in terms of meeting its targets by securing additional greenhouse gas offsets (forestry, landuse management) counting towards our national commitment. This additional flexibility was secured by Ireland due to the size of our agri-food industry and the extent of the resultant agricultural greenhouse gas emissions within the overall inventory.
The critical economic role that agriculture plays within the Irish economy has been stongly referenced in the Programme for Government. Indeed, the distint characteristics of biogenic methane as described by the Intergovernmental panel on climate change was also referenced. In terms of transitioning to a climate neutral economy by 2050, agriculture will need to play its part, but as a world leader in the production of carbon efficient food, the sector has a strong record in this area.
I am currently in the process of finalising a Climate and Air roadmap for the sector which will set out a series of actions to reduce absolute emissions over the decade ahead. There are many actions that the sector will need to take to transition to a more environmentally sustainable footing. The Department, in conjunction with our agencies and the wider industry, will fully support farmers through this transition.
