Agriculture Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2023

Tuesday, 17 October 2023

Questions (434)

Michael Lowry

Question:

434. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide details of the proposals for a voluntary dairy exit scheme that is currently under consideration by his Department; if he will provide information regarding the consideration given to the inclusion of an entry scheme for young farmers as part of or alongside the proposed exit scheme; if he will provide information on the various proposals being examined as part of this voluntary scheme and any engagement his Department has had with key stakeholders (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45276/23]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I established the Food Vision Dairy Group as well as the Food Vision Beef & Sheep Group last year to advance the actions for the beef and 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 in the Climate Act process. 

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, equivalent to a reduction of 5.75 MT of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Both the Dairy and Beef & 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. The publication was timely as it then served to inform the Climate Action Plan 2023 which was launched in December 2022.

A key recommendation of the Food Vision Dairy Group was to explore and take forward a voluntary reduction scheme for the dairy herd.  Discussion on the proposed scheme with stakeholders has primarily taken place within that forum - which includes the farm representative bodies, dairy processors and State agencies.  In addition, the Department sought the views of Group members as to how this scheme might work bearing in mind the principles, as set down in the report, that need to be considered in the development of such a scheme. My officials are currently working to explore this further.

However, I want to be very clear that no decision has been taken by Government to proceed with such a scheme, and no exchequer funding provision is currently in place for such a scheme.  While there is not an allocation in the budget for next year for this specific measure, there are many other measures which are going to significantly contribute to reducing our emissions over the next year and which are being stepped out in a significant way. I will work collectively and collaboratively with farmers and their representatives in charting a pathway forward.