Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 October 2023
106. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has estimated the likely financial impact of climate-induced flooding and other natural disasters on agriculture in the State in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47010/23]
View answerMy Department recognises the impact that climate-induced flooding and other natural disasters is causing to the everyday activities of farmers in Ireland.
One of our Statement of Strategy objectives within DAFM is to promote measures to support farmers viability and resilience. Under Goal 3, the statement commits to developing a policy framework to improve viability and resilience, within the Agricultural Sector, with the aim of putting climate adaptation at the centre of resilience planning.
The National Adaptation Framework outlines details of costing impacts of extreme weather events (including wild fires, drought, flood and storm events), however Information on costs at the sectoral level is being developed over time. The costs for the agricultural sector by 2050, based on an aggregate of costs at EU level have been estimated at between €1-2 billion per year.
Under the National Adaptation Framework my Department developed a Sectoral Adaptation Plan which aims to build resilience to the effects of climate change and weather related events in the agriculture, forestry and seafood sector. The plan will contribute to the achievement of the Department’s Statement of Strategy Goals.
The four overarching objectives to help achieve this goal are centred around:
• ensuring a joined up approach to adaptation planning;
• raising awareness of the impacts of climate change;
• reducing vulnerability and
• embedding adaptation planning in decision making.
A number of measures have been included in the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and the ACRES eco scheme to address changes in the climate and build resilience and adaptive capacity within the Agricultural sector.
