Ireland is one of the most food secure countries in the world. In fact, Ireland has come second of 113 countries assessed for food security, according to the latest Global Food Security Index.
The issue of maintaining food production has been the subject of much discussion in the context of the Government's economy-wide target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030. My position has been consistent- each sector, including agriculture, will need to play its part to achieve this target.
The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine have a number of policies and strategies in place to ensure Agriculture plays its role in meeting the national climate targets by 2030 and 2050, while continuing to sustainably produce food and feed. The Food Vision 2030 Strategy sets out a pathway to become a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems over the next decade. Food security, food safety and nutrition are key components of Sustainable Food Systems,
The Food Vision Strategy will deliver significant benefits for the Irish agri-food sector itself, for Irish society and the environment. In demonstrating the Irish agri-food sector meets the highest standards of sustainability – economic, environmental, and social – this will also provide the basis for the future competitive advantage of the sector. By adopting an integrated food systems approach, Ireland will seek to become a global leader of innovation for sustainable food and agriculture systems, producing safe, nutritious, and high-value food that tastes great, while protecting and enhancing our natural and cultural resources and contributing to vibrant rural and coastal communities and the national economy.
The Climate Action Plan 2023 also lays out actions specifically for the Agriculture sector to reduce emissions from agriculture and food production. Specific reference is made to the tillage sector and the role it plays in reducing emissions from Agriculture. The tillage and horticulture sectors are the most carbon-efficient sectors of Irish agriculture, and it is important that the area under cultivation in these sectors is increased. Data from 2022 shows an increase in the area of land under tillage, which was supported by a tillage incentive scheme. There is scope to further increase this area, despite increasing land competition from the dairy sector. There is also an opportunity for industry to exploit opportunities for high-value crops, based on changing consumer preferences, creating opportunities for the primary producer both in new food markets and bioeconomy efforts. There is a very clear opportunity to increase the volume of Irish grain being used in the high-value drinks industry, and as a source of protein for the livestock industry.
Regarding the Land Use and Land Use Change sector, Ireland's land is currently an overall net source of emissions. My priority is to ensure that we continue to make progress with respect to reducing emissions both from reducing the management intensity on our organic soils and through achieving our afforestation rates and promoting forest management initiatives and promoting actions on those lands which are removing emissions, such as through good hedgerow management. Ireland cannot achieve climate neutrality without the land use sector making changes over the decades ahead. Change is not easy and does not come overnight. Our recently launched country-wide network of Teagasc supported Signpost Farms will showcase how best practice management techniques can be adopted on a wide range of enterprises and soil types.
