Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2023
108. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he or his Department had any input into a paper produced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on culling the national herd (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41529/23]
View answerI welcome the opportunity to outline the position on these matters, but I should point out that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and his Department are responsible for this policy area.
The Climate Action Plan 2023 provides a detailed plan for taking decisive action to achieve a 51% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and setting us on a path to reach climate neutrality by no later than 2050. This plan includes a legally binding target of a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from agriculture by 2030. This is equivalent to a reduction of 5.75 MtCO2 of carbon dioxide equivalent from a 2018 baseline.
The agriculture sector is undergoing a significant transformation to deliver the reduction in GHG emissions required. The sector is doing this through actions in the following areas.
• Reducing nitrous oxide emissions.
• Reducing methane emissions.
• Increasing carbon capture.
• Enhancing biodiversity.
• Providing diversification options for livestock farmers.
• Enhancing adaptation.
• Supporting the development of new research.
In support of these actions, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine established the Food Vision Dairy Group and the Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group last year to advance the actions for the beef, sheep, and dairy sectors identified in the Food Vision 2030 strategy, taking account of the requirement for the sectors to contribute to achieving the targets set for agriculture emissions.
The first priority for both groups was to chart a pathway to achieving the legally binding target of a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 2030. Guided by the Food Vision 2030 Strategy, Irish farmers and food producers will further prioritise delivery of environmental, social and economic sustainability.
Both the Dairy and Beef and Sheep Groups submitted their final reports towards the end of 2022, which have been published. The reports identified measures which could contribute to reducing emissions.
A key recommendation of the Food Vision Dairy Group was to explore and take forward a voluntary reduction scheme for the dairy herd. Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine officials have been working to explore this further.
No decision has been taken by Government to proceed with such a scheme yet, and no exchequer funding provision is currently in place for such a scheme.
I and the Government recognise the very significant role farmers and farm families play as food producers and custodians of our environment, and their contribution to the overall success of the economy and society. The Climate Action Plan and the actions arising from it build on the skills, knowledge and momentum that farm families and their businesses have made in sustainable food production and addressing our shared environmental ambitions. The Government recognises that the measures that farmers will be asked to undertake will be voluntary and done in partnership and collaboration with Government.
As I have said, immediate responsibility for this sector is within the remit of my colleague, Minister McConalogue but as Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications I am happy to assist him in any way possible to achieve our shared goals. I look forward to engaging with the Minister and his Department on this matter in the future.
