Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
374. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which production, husbandry and processing in the agri-food sector can be modernised to meet the challenges of carbon reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51919/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Climate Act that was passed by the Houses during the summer, all sections of the economy will be required to contribute to an economy wide 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emisions by 2030.
I have been consistent in my views that I want to, at a minimum, maintain agricultural production at current levels while meeting our carbon reduction targets in 2030. This will mean that farm practices will need to evolve and modernise to achieve this objective.
Research and innovation will also play a key role here. The Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) for greenhouse gas abatement and the Ag Climatise roadmap, which I published last year, set out the sorts of actions farmers will need to take.
For example, the sector will need to reduce chemical nitrogen fertiliser use, and this can be partly achieved by improving our use of organic manures and moving to clover based and multispecies swards.
Likewise to reduce methane emissions from the beef herd, the sector needs to transition to ensure our animals are finished at an earlier age, and this will require management and husbandry changes. The Teagasc Signpost farm programme will play an important upskilling role over the years ahead.
Agri-food processing falls under a different carbon budget in a different Department, however, it is clear all companies in Ireland will need to modernise to contribute to the economy wide reductions.
Significant progress within the agri-food processing sector has already been made under the company membership of Origin Green, however, further progress over the decade will be required.
