Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2021
682. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department have considered enhanced carbon sequestration measures as a means of meeting carbon reduction targets in a balanced way without damaging the food production sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60475/21]
View answerI am acutely aware of the significant contribution that carbon sequestration can make, particularly through our land and soils, in meeting carbon reduction targets whilst protecting the food production sector.
Recent investments in research and initiatives from my Department will provide much needed data on the emission profile of our farms and will inform policy decisions in this area to better support farmers in their efforts to sequester, store and protect carbon through better management decisions.
In particular, the establishment of the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory for the measurement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a range of different soil and farm types will place Ireland at the forefront of EU carbon sequestration research. This infrastructure will be located in a range of locations throughout Ireland and will include a number of Teagasc Signpost farms, a new initiative which aims to support our farmers by acting as a demonstration and research resource for best practice on our farms.
Teagasc has also recently commenced a research project called “Farm-Carbon – Farm Hedgerows and Non-forest Woodland Carbon”.
This project will provide a deeper understanding of hedgerows and non-forest woodland as carbon stocks in agricultural landscapes and will allow researchers to identify approaches to maintain and enhance this contribution.
As you will appreciate, the knowledge gained from the aforementioned research and technological infrastructure establishment activities pursued through my Department will not only demonstrate the continued viability of our agrifood sector but it will also allow for the refinement of our reporting to the National Inventory further emphasising the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
