Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2020
349. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the training his Department provides on soil health training for farmers and land managers in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37477/20]
View answerMy Department recognises that within the EU Green Deal, the Farm to Fork and EU Biodiversity strategies there is a very strong focus on soils, in particular healthy soils that display high levels of biological activity in order to ensure healthy and secure food production.
In addition, my Department is showing its commitment to soils by introducing a soil sampling programme in 2021. The proposed National Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme will develop a national baseline of soil parameters and focus on soil carbon along with other soil nutrient metrics.
The Department, through its agency Teagasc, provides ongoing research and advisory support to farmers in relation to training on soil health.
