Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 December 2023
188. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures taken since 27 June 2020 to help and support farmers and the agriculture sector in meeting the challenge of climate change. [55620/23]
View answerTo meet the challenge of climate change, public supports and incentives, in conjunction with private industry supports, will all play an important role.
My Department has put significant resources in place through the CAP Strategic Plan for the period up to 2027. The Plan combines a wide range of targeted interventions addressing specific Irish needs and delivers tangible results relating to the sustainability of Irish agriculture and help meeting the challenges of climate change and the emission reduction targets, while also contributing to EU level objectives. The Plan will provide €9.8bn to support the economic, environmental and social sustainability for farmers and rural communities using a number of measures, including:
• An Eco-scheme that is open to all farms and has a number of climate- and environment-focused farming practices, including practices aimed at reducing chemical nitrogen usage, increasing tree planting, increasing nature- and biodiversity-rich land areas and encouraging extensive livestock production;
• The ACRES scheme, underpinned by a greater focus on results-based actions and on collective actions aimed at achieving landscape-scale benefits. The Government has committed €1.5 billion to facilitate the participation of 50,000 farmers.
• The Organic Farming Scheme aimed at more than tripling the area of agricultural land that is farmed organically. The budget for this scheme has increased from €56 Million to €256 Million.
The Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) supports capital investment in a number of target areas which will promote sustainability e.g. low emissions slurry spreading equipment, farm nutrient storage, and renewable energy and energy efficiency. A budget of €370 million is in place for the next 5 years.
The new National Forestry Strategy and Forestry Programme includes a set of incentives to attract farmers and landowners to consider planting trees which is a key part of our climate actions, underpinned by a Government commitment of €1.3 billion.
