Thomas Gould
Question:47. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department’s response to the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34713/23]
View answerThursday, 13 July 2023
Questions (47)
Written answers
Biodiversity is a keystone to our way of life and an important agenda item for my Department and I.
My Department have considered the recommendations related to Agriculture within the report on Biodiversity from the Citizen’s Assembly. In many cases, actions are already in place to deliver on the report's recommendations. In some cases small changes are required, however in other cases the full implications of the recommendation need to be considered as part of the Government's overall response to the report.
Biodiversity is currently supported through a variety of schemes and programmes at national and local level, and I will continue, along with my colleagues in Government, to strive to improve our biodiversity.
Maintaining and improving biodiversity is a core objective within Ireland's CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) which commenced in January. The introduction of a new definition of land eligibility for direct payments under the CSP is already ensuring farmers are not restricted in their ambition to make changes for the benefit of biodiversity.
In addition, as part of the CSP, the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme, or ACRES, is building on the learnings arising from GLAS and the European Innovation Partnerships. ACRES will achieve increased environmental ambition through the introduction of results-based payments, and for those in ACRES Co-operation Project areas, a locally led approach.
46,000 farmers have already been approved to participate in ACRES.
Furthermore, the ambitious targets set for organic farming under the CSP, and the strong uptake we are already witnessing, will also contribute to meeting recommendations within the Citizens' Assembly's Report.
Outside the CSP, new initiatives such as the Native Woodland Establishment Scheme and the Agro-Forestry Scheme will also help towards achieving our tree planting goals under the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Other schemes, such as the Multi-Species Swards Measure and the Red Clover Silage Measure also aim to promote environmentally sustainable methods of farming which will not only have a positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions, but will also lead to enhanced biodiversity, both above, and below, ground while addressing a further recommendation within the report.
Support and engagement with farmers, the custodians of our landscape, will remain a critical factor in achieving our goals for biodiversity in Ireland.