Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 February 2024
92. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will act to reverse the reduction in the area under tillage in 2022 in light of the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8356/24]
View answerThe tillage sector is an important and integral component of the Agri-food industry. It is a major producer of high-quality grain for the animal feed industry and straw for feeding and bedding. Tillage growers also make a significant contribution to the food and drinks sectors through the provision of high-quality raw materials.
A vibrant and sustainable tillage sector is central to increasing Ireland’s food and feed security while also contributing to climate change objectives; the Climate Action plan 2023 sets out a target to increase the area under tillage to 400,000ha by 2030 as part of Agriculture’s commitment to reduce emissions by 25%.
There are opportunities for the sector to expand and to increase the production of grain for the high value food and drinks sectors while also substituting imports of feed grains and proteins adding to the sustainability of Irish produced feed and food.
I established the Food Vision Tillage Group in May 2023 to advance the actions for the tillage sector identified in the Food Vision 2030 strategy, while also taking account of the targets set out in the Farm to Fork Strategy and the Climate Action Plan 2023.
The Group is made up of a wide range of stakeholders from across the industry and is tasked with setting out a roadmap for the sustainable growth and development of the sector to 400,000ha by 2030. The Group has met on 10 occasions. I will consider their final recommendations to grow the sector which I am expecting in the near future.
