Written Answers Nos. 85-100
85. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what recent engagement he has had with regard to the residential zoned land tax and the potential impact of same on land actively being used for agricultural purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8156/24]
View answerI have engaged with my colleagues the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage on the introduction of the Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT), and the related concerns expressed by stakeholders including farmers and farm representative bodies.
Introduced in 2021, the RZLT is an action under the "Housing for All" plan and is designed to prompt residential development by owners of land that is zoned for residential or mixed-use (including residential) purposes and that is serviced.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Guidelines identify the following land as within scope:
• land zoned suitable for residential development whether it be solely or primarily for residential use, or for a mixture of uses, including residential use, and
• land serviced;
Agricultural land which is zoned solely or primarily for residential use meets the criteria set out within the legislation and therefore falls within the scope of the tax currently. I am very conscious that this could impact landowners who may be using the land for non-residential use such as farming. However, the land may still be zoned residential as it is serviced by the local authority to enable housing development to accommodate supply in the most suitable locations.
It is important to note that landowners were afforded the opportunity to make submissions to their local authority and to request a change to the zoning of their land. If the landowner disagreed with the determination, they could submit an appeal to An Bord Pleanála on or before 1 May 2023.
Supplemental zoned land maps, identifying additional zoned and serviced land were prepared, and published by 1 May 2023. Submissions to local authorities could be made up to 1 June 2023.
I welcomed the Budget 2024 announcement by Minister McGrath that the tax liability would be deferred for one year to allow affected landowners sufficient opportunity to engage with the mapping process and to ensure a fair and transparent process is applied when finalising the RZLT maps.
An extended date of 31 May 2024 is in place for submissions for requests to revise or rezone. The Departments of Finance and Housing are currently working on arrangements for this new date and have undertaken to raise public awareness on the process involved on requesting revision or rezoning.
I saw it as important, in view of the concerns of farmers, that this tax liability was deferred for one year thus allowing active farmers an opportunity to engage with the process and seek a dezoning of their land if they so wish.
I am continuing to engage with my Ministerial colleagues on this issues.
86. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to improve environmental sustainability on Irish farms, in particular in respect of soil health and nutrient management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8372/24]
View answerFollowing on from Ireland's Food Vision 2030 strategy, my Department is implementing a wide range of actions and measures to improve environmental sustainability on Irish farms including soil health and nutrient management.
In the first instance, conditionality controls in respect of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments are part of this approach. Conditionality is a set of Statutory Management Requirements (SMR's) and Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) standards included in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan.
SMRs 1 & 2 focus on the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates and phosphates. Farmers are required to maintain records on their holdings that include an estimation of the annual fertiliser requirement for the holding and a copy of any Nutrient Management Plan prepared in relation to the holding.
For grassland farmers that are seeking to avail of a nitrate’s derogation, i.e. farm above the stocking rate of 170 kg organic nitrogen per hectare, it is mandatory for them to submit a Nutrient Management Plan on application. In addition, farmers above a grassland stocking rate of 130 kg organic nitrogen per hectare and all tillage land must have valid soil samples taken. A liming programme must be prepared and implemented on all holdings with a grassland stocking rate greater than 170 kg organic nitrogen per hectare. From 2024 all slurry must be applied using Low Emission Slurry Spreading equipment on all farms with a grassland stocking rate of greater than 130 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare before exports are taken into consideration.
The 9 GAEC's cover a range of standards related to soil, water and ‘space for nature’. These combine to provide protection for water and soil as well as important habitats and ecosystems.
The Eco-Scheme is a new measure under the CAP Strategic Plan, designed to reward farmers for undertaking actions beneficial to the climate, environment, water quality and biodiversity. Eco-Scheme options include, soil sampling & liming, planting break crops and sowing multi-species crops, all of which benefit our soil health.
The flagship Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) aims to deliver significant long-term environmental improvement through participation by a significant number of farmers on the most appropriate land, with each making a strong improvement on their farm. This will build on, and complement achievements under Conditionality and the Eco-Scheme. The scheme aims to contribute significantly to achieving improved biodiversity, climate, air and water quality outcomes.
The Straw Incorporation Measure is another measure under the CSP which aims to improve soil health by encouraging tillage farmers to increase Soil Organic Carbon levels by chopping and incorporating straw into the soil.
The Multi-Species Swards and Red Clover Silage Measures are continuing into 2024. These supports will enable farmers to reduce chemical fertiliser inputs, an economic benefit to the farmer and an environmental benefit to society while maintaining food production.
My Department is also supporting the taking and analysis of up to 90,000 samples through phase two of the Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme. Phase two will build on data gathered during the initial programme by providing valuable information to farmers to inform decisions that promote the health of their soils.
Overall, my Department is taking a multi-faceted approach to improve environmental sustainability on Irish farms, including the important areas of soil health and nutrient management, and recognising the importance of balancing agricultural production with environmental conservation and protection.
87. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way his Department is encouraging and supporting farmers to put solar panels on their farm buildings to generate electricity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8276/24]
View answerThe Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings. The Solar Capital Investment scheme is one of the measures in TAMS, which provides support to farmers wishing to invest in renewable energy, thereby reducing their dependence on fossil fuels.
I launched the TAMS 3 Solar Capital Investment Scheme on 22nd February 2023. The scheme has a very attractive 60% grant, and a standalone investment ceiling of €90,000 for solar panels on farms. The popularity of this scheme is evident, as in excess of 1,400 applications were received in the first two tranches of the scheme, with the current tranche open for applications up to 12 April 2024.
Grant-aided investments under the Solar Capital Investment Scheme in TAMS 3 include Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries. An ‘On Farm Solar PV Survey’ must be completed and submitted with the application to quantify the holding's electricity requirement and the planned electricity supply from the proposed development.
The electricity consumption of the dwelling house can be included on the solar survey as part of the holding for sizing the Solar PV installation. The dwelling house must be occupied by the herd owner or family member and situated on the holding. It is not permitted to sell the electricity generated. Only one dwelling house can be included on the Solar survey.
In a time of rising energy costs, the scheme will enable every farmer to generate their own power for their dwelling and holding, and will help to achieve a more sustainable rural economy, assisting farmers in reducing energy costs on their holdings.
Currently, grant aid for solar investments in TAMS is for farm consumption only. However, if the applicant wishes to apply for non-TAMS support for a larger area of panels, this can be done through the SEAI. This additional investment can be installed in tandem with the TAMS investment and is a further option for those keen to explore renewable energy generation.
I believe that the suite of TAMS schemes, including the Solar Capital Investment Scheme, is the best mechanism for ensuring that investment funding is targeted most effectively. I will also ensure that investment items and ceilings for grant aid continue to be reviewed on a regular basis.
88. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the progress of his Department implementing the working paper to address challenges related to peat supply in the horticulture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7871/24]
View answerMy Department commissioned an independent expert to carry out a report on peat supply for the horticulture industry in Ireland. This report identified a number of recommendations to alleviate issues with regards to supply of peat which are being considered across government.
My Department also commissioned experts to provide focused guidance to those wishing to achieve regulatory compliance for extraction of horticultural peat on sub-30 hectare bogs for supply to the domestic horticulture industry. This guidance together with earlier guidance published by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the National Parks and Wildlife Service should assist stakeholders wishing to become legally compliant and all stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the regulatory framework in place.
The report and guidance were published in November 2022 and are available at: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/cdc83-reports-to-address-challenges-related-to-peat-supply-in-the-horticulture-sector-published/
To support and facilitate research into the development of alternatives to peat for horticultural use, my Department committed €1.69 million to a five-year research project entitled ‘Beyond Peat’ which is being led and co-ordinated by Teagasc. My Department is also funding research projects through the EU Producer Organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables.
My Department has also facilitated site visits for Committee members of the Joint Oireachtas on Agriculture Food and the Marine at two Mushroom farms in County Monaghan and Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre to see first hand the research that is being funded and administered by my Department on peat alternatives.
89. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his Department’s efforts to tackle food waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8386/24]
View answerAt a strategic level, my Department works very closely with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) on exploring ways to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goal 12.3. That Goal commits by 2030 to halve, per capita, global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses. That commitment is also reflected in Food Vision 2030 the 10 year strategy for the Agri-food sector.
I, together with my colleague Ossian Smyth, Minister of State with responsibility for the Circular Economy at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, officially launched the Government’s Food Waste Prevention Roadmap on 30 November 2022 .
The Roadmap sets out a number of priority actions to bring the focus on food waste prevention in a coherent manner across key sectors in the food supply chain. One of the actions in the Roadmap was a re-launch of the EPA Food Charter which again with my colleague Minister Ossian Smyth I launched in June last year. Food businesses that sign up to the Food Waste Charter make a number of commitments related to measuring, reporting and reducing food waste. While the sign up to the Charter is voluntary, these commitments by companies will be essential drivers across the agricultural and food supply chain to allow Ireland to measure our progress against the 50% reduction target.
In relation to funding, my Department has, over the last few years, provided €10 million for the purchase of specialised equipment by the National Prepared Consumer Food Centre in Ashtown, that allows food companies to undertake piloting of their innovative processes, including reducing food waste in their production processes and packaging.
In May last year, I allocated almost €180,000 funding under the Rural Innovation and Development Fund, to the FoodCloud Growers’ Project. This Project is aimed at reducing food waste at farm level by connecting growers who have surplus produce with community groups located around the country. The project aimed to redistribute 60 tonnes of produce in 2023, avoiding emissions of over 190,000kgs of carbon equivalent.
In January this year I issued another call for proposals for food waste reduction initiatives to be funded under the Rural Innovation and Development Fund for which the closing date is 22 March 2024. My Department has also funded some research projects for examining food loss and food waste.
However funding alone will not help us achieve the ambitious food waste reduction targets. The achievement of the target will involve a range of issues including behavioural change, awareness initiatives, data gathering on levels of food waste and monitoring and evaluation. My Department is working with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Environmental Protection Agency on raising awareness and encouraging food businesses to commit to the Charter.
90. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what efforts his Department is making to ensure farmers are incentivised to create and maintain habitats on farms under the Common Agricultural Policy strategic plan and the rural development plan. [8338/24]
View answerLike all of our environmental and climate objectives in the CAP Strategic Plan, and the prior Rural Development Programme, we are using a multi-action approach to habitat creation and maintenance.
It begins with the basic definition of the Eligible Hectare. Since 2023, our definition allows eligible hectares to contain other landscape features that are beneficial to the environment and biodiversity. Where previously farmers would have been encouraged to remove any scrub, copse and woodland, now they can receive payment on these areas, provided agricultural activity can still take place.
The next approach is Conditionality, the rules and standards that all farmers must comply with to receive CAP payments. Several aspects of Conditionality apply to the protection of habitats. For example, under GAEC standard 8, farmers must devote a minimum of 4% of their parcels to non productive features. This includes field margins, ditches, hedgerows, and traditional stonewalls.
This is enhanced with the voluntary schemes that a farmer can participate in. In these schemes, farmers receive additional payments by going beyond the basic conditions required for CAP supports.
In our Eco-scheme, a Pillar 1 Direct Payments Scheme with a budget of almost €1.5billion, the most popular choice for farmers in 2023 was the "Space for Nature" option. In this, farmers set aside 7% or 10% of their farms for non-productive space for nature, providing essential habitats throughout the year. Eco-schemes had a very high participation rate in 2023: about 97% of farmers chose to come into the scheme. The payment rate was an attractive €67 per hectare. This was for actions that are straightforward for farmers to implement, with a big cumulative impact.
In Pillar 2 rural development schemes, we use more targeted actions, usually with a locally-led approach. ACRES, for example is our flagship €1.5 billion euro agri-environmental scheme. Farmers in ACRES work to provide significant benefits at landscape level for biodiversity, climate and water quality. We use results-based actions, which is new to farmers and advisers, but already showing great promise.
With support from the CSP, as well as core measures outside the Plan, at least 30% of agricultural habitats with a status of unfavourable are expected to demonstrate improving trends towards achieving favourable status by 2030.
91. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has considered new measures in the likely context that the sectors for which he has responsibility cannot meet the targets in the climate plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8345/24]
View answerAchieving our climate ambition in the agri-food sector in Ireland requires new and innovative approaches by everyone in the industry and beyond. The 2030 25% sectoral emission reduction set for the agriculture sector is a challenging target and will require scientific and technological advancements to be achieved.
In Climate Action Plan 2024, I have set out measures around three themes: inputs and additives, husbandry practices, and diversification. Each of these measures will be supported by a range of actions, setting out a viable pathway towards reaching our targets.
We are making progress, with the agriculture sector reducing emissions in 2022. Economy-wide, 25% of the 1.9% year-on-year reduction in total emissions in 2022 can be attributed to agriculture.
The sustained reduction of Chemical Nitrogen sales over the last two years is an excellent example of progress with a reduction of 14% in 2022 being followed by an additional 18% reduction in 2023.
Research will be key to producing the scientific and technological advancements necessary to achieve our targets. My Department has provided funding of €8m to 12 Methane related research projects over the last five years. For example, “METH-ABATE”, is a DAFM funded research project, looking at the development and validation of novel feed technologies to reduce methane emissions from pasture based Irish agricultural systems. This includes evaluating several feed additives to mitigate methane emissions while simultaneously monitoring animal productivity.
On further potential new measures; insights from the new Teagasc MACC published in 2023 will serve as a key tool for identifying further options to reduce emissions in the agriculture sector. Building on the 2019 MACC, the 2023 document reflects new developments in technology, research, and global market conditions. The 33 measures set out in the 2023 MACC now need to be considered together with all stakeholders for them to be turned into actions in the Climate Action Plan.
Funded by the European Commission through the European Institute of Technology (EIT), EIT Climate-KIC is Europe’s leading innovation community working to support the delivery of a climate resilient economy and society. DAFM has partnered with EIT Climate-KIC to work with public and private stakeholders in the Irish agri-food sector to help the sector deliver an accelerated pathway of climate action. Climate-KIC are applying their “Deep Demonstration” model of innovation to the entire agri-food and biobased value chain. This involves working with stakeholders from public, private, finance, civic and education sectors to develop and deploy coordinated actions.
This targeted and multifaceted approach is setting the agricultural sector in Ireland on a positive trajectory to achieving our climate targets.
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.
93. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the ACRES; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8376/24]
View answerAs the deputy is aware, there was unprecedented demand under the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) Tranche 1. This is a reflection of the interest amongst farmers in taking on actions to address climate, biodiversity, and environmental issues. In response, all eligible Tranche 1 applications were approved, with just under 46,000 active contracts now in place.
ACRES payments commenced on December 15th, with payments issuing in the initial payment run to two-thirds of all ACRES General participants. Further payments have been made in 2024 to additional ACRES General participants that had cleared payment validations. Over €88 million has now issued to almost 20,000 ACRES General participants.
ACRES is also an ambitious scheme, with results-based actions - for the first time under any large-scale environmental programme - constituting an important element, in line with the objective of delivering the maximum possible environmental benefit under the scheme. This brings with it new challenges and new complexities - particularly in relation to the Co-operation Project stream - which have to be fully addressed before all payments can issue.
Every effort continues to be made to ensure that all of these payments can be issued as quickly as possible. This work is ongoing and is a priority, but is likely to take a further period to complete. In these circumstances, I have decided to make an interim, nationally-funded, payment to those farmers affected across ACRES General and Co-operation.
The rate of this interim payment will be €4,000 for those in ACRES General and €5,000 for those in ACRES Co-operation Projects. It is my intention to have this interim payment delivered to those farmers affected across ACRES General and Co-operation by the end of this month.
The application window for ACRES Tranche 2 closed in December 2023, with more than 9,000 applications received. Available funding and EU approval under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 will support up to 50,000 contracts under ACRES.
94. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given there is no EU funding in place to support farmers to implement the nature restoration law, if he still support this legislation. [8335/24]
View answerThe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) are the leading government authority in Ireland for the Nature Restoration Law (NRL). My Department has worked closely with DHLGH to ensure that the text of the NRL will deliver for the environment and climate whilst supporting all sectors of society, including farmers and rural communities.
My Department supports the ambitions of the NRL and staff within my Department will be working closely with colleagues in DHLGH to ensure that national restoration plans will identify appropriate sources of financing for the delivery of NRL ambitions.
95. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the engagement he has had with suckler farmers following announced changes to SCEP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8154/24]
View answerThe Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) aims to provide support to beef farmers to improve the environmental sustainability of the national beef herd. The programme aims to build on the gains delivered in recent years through the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) by improving the genetic merit of the Irish suckler herd.
Last month, I announced further flexibility for participants in the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP) who may be impacted by the Irish Cattle Breeders Federation (ICBF) evaluation changes which came into effect on 28 November 2023.
Participants had already been advised that animals in SCEP herds whose index falls maintain their original index and are not impacted unless the SCEP participant sells that animal to a non-SCEP herd. This same provision had existed in BDGP, the precursor to SCEP.
The further flexibility I announced last month ensures that farmers in SCEP are not disadvantaged. This additional flexibility means that female offspring of genotyped females in SCEP herds that do not become eligible for SCEP on their own genomic evaluation, may become eligible if their sire and dam meet a minimum requirement on the September 2023 ICBF evaluation. That is where the dam was 3, 4 or 5-star and the sire 4 or 5-star on the Replacement Index, this female offspring will be considered “SCEP eligible” even if, when they are genotyped, they are not evaluated as 4 or 5-star in their own right.
Importantly, this flexibility would exist for all years of the SCEP programme. Such females will retain this “SCEP eligible” status where they are traded to another SCEP herd. If, however they are traded to a non SCEP herd, they will lose this “SCEP eligible” status.
I have listened carefully to feedback from farmers and their representative bodies in recent months and engaged with my officials and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF) to examine the issues being raised. The flexibilities I announced on 31 January 2024 provide assurance to SCEP participants that they will not be negatively impacted by the evaluation index changes which were implemented in November 2023 whilst still maintaining the integrity of SCEP and the Euro-star evaluations.
96. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the horse project in Cork city. [8366/24]
View answerI am fully committed to supporting sustainable One Health, One Welfare initiatives in line with the Programme for Government and our national animal welfare strategy, "Working Together for Animal Welfare 2021-2025", and continue to support a number of urban horse projects nationwide.
These projects foster community leadership and education in responsible horse ownership for young people from disadvantaged communities or backgrounds.
Typically, support and arrangements for these projects are provided by the Local Authorities. The funding provided by my Department is paid through the Local Authorities to support these projects.
Through Cork City Council, my Department has, in the past, supported a Cork City Horse Project which was a collaborative initiative involving Cork City and County Councils and community stakeholders including the Traveller Visibility Group. In 2016, my Department supported three equine education modules undertaken by this Project with funding of almost €20,000 though our Urban Horse Projects scheme.
In October last year, my Department held a seminar dedicated to the promotion of such urban horse projects nationwide. The seminar encouraged collaboration and the exchange of ideas and best practices among local authorities and other stakeholders, with a view towards enabling more projects to be successfully established.
My Department welcomes further submissions, through local authorities, for assistance in Cork in the context of our Urban Horse Projects scheme.
97. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it will be necessary for Ireland to reduce dairy and beef production to reach our legally binding greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8358/24]
View answerI am fully committed to the long-term viability of the Irish agricultural sector including our farm families who are the bedrock of the industry. The industry is hugely important in terms of economic activity and employment. The sector was assigned a challenging target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030 but is one that farmers and the industry are committed to achieving.
In Climate Action Plan 2024, I have set out measures around three themes: inputs and additives, husbandry practices, and diversification. Each of these measures will be supported by a range of actions, setting out a viable pathway towards reaching our targets.
To this end, our Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan will support farmers to transition to more sustainable practices while also supporting family farm incomes, with a budget of €9.8bn. In addition, I have provided €1.5bn for the new agri-environment scheme “ACRES”, a five-fold increase in funding for Organic Farming to €256m and €260m to improve the carbon efficiency of the suckler herd through genetic improvement.
There is no doubt that some livestock farmers will take up diversification options that are provided as part of our climate transformation including to areas such as organics, forestry, tillage and the provision of feedstock for anaerobic digestion as we increase the production of renewables. However, given the efficiency gains that continue to be made at farm level, I remain confident that we will continue to reduce emissions in the agri-food sector without reducing our agri-output.
The implementation of a low methane emitting breeding programme has significant potential to harness the genetic variation for methane emissions that exists within the national herd, this, in turn, will bring about permanent and cumulative reductions in the methane output of future generations of livestock. The results of the research also highlight the potential to breed more environmentally sustainable animals, while at the same time, not having a negative impact on food production. Progress continues to be made in relation to feed additives, which will have a significant positive impact on reducing emissions.
My ambition is to future proof Ireland’s Agri-Food sector for the benefit of our industry, the environment and our farm families. Ireland's agri-food sector will continue to be underpinned by our world class livestock and tillage sectors, and it is critical that we work collectively to achieve our environmental targets while maintaining food production.
98. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the situation with respect to BALAMI funding for the dredging of Ballycotton Harbour, County Cork; his Department’s role in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8387/24]
View answerOn the 25th of January, I announced the allocation of €12.7m for 15 local authority marine infrastructure projects, the Ballycotton Harbour dredging project among them. These projects were previously put forward by the local authorities under the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme 2022-2023. The Scheme was conceived by the Seafood Taskforce to use the unique funding of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve to deliver, improve and rejuvenate marine public infrastructure.
Under the BALAMI Scheme I approved funding of up to €55.3m for 163 projects across 13 coastal local authorities. Cork County Council was approved for €6.3m for 21 marine infrastructure projects located along its coastline. The Ballycotton Harbour dredging project received approval for €1.8m but encountered delivery challenges in relation to consents and environmental restrictions around the schedule of works that inhibited delivery within the eligibility period of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve.
In view of the importance of this project to the local fishing community at Ballycotton and in view of that sector's exposure to the impacts of Brexit I decided that this project needs to be delivered and agreed to fund up to €1.8m to Cork County Council. It is up to the Council now to allocate co-funding and to deliver the project during 2024.
99. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how the sectoral emissions reductions targets for agriculture for the first carbon budget period can now be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8354/24]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the 25% sectoral emission reduction set for the agriculture sector is a challenging target, requiring scientific and technological advancements. These include reducing chemical nitrogen usage and changing fertiliser type; providing voluntary diversification options for farmers, and improving environmental dividends from farmed land. These measures are supported by a range of actions, setting out a viable pathway towards reaching agriculture’s target.
The actions set out in the CAP are supported through enhanced targeted supports set out in Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (CSP 2023-2027) under the remit of schemes such as Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS), Agri-Climate Rural Environmental Scheme (ACRES), Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), Protein Aid Scheme, Tillage Incentive Scheme (TIS) and the Straw Incorporation Scheme. The CSP has seen a significant increase in national co-funding, bringing the total budget to almost €10 billion.
The agricultural sector has made substantial progress on some of CAP23’s KPIs in the past year. For example, the use of chemical nitrogen (N) has decreased in comparison to last year. This brings the agricultural sector close to its goal of reducing chemical N use to a maximum of 330,000 tonnes by 2025.
Ireland is progressing our climate commitments with respect to reduced management intensity on soils and afforestation, supported by DAFM’s investment in the establishment of a ‘National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory’. The Irish Government is investing €1.3 billion in Irish forestry over the next five years. The National Forestry Programme for 2023 to 2027 will see an increase in forestry premiums of between 46% and 66%.
Mitigating agricultural emissions will require a sustained research effort. DAFM is supporting a number of research projects and initiatives to develop the necessary technologies to facilitate the move to a more sustainable agricultural sector with reduced emissions. DAFM has provided funding of €8m to 12 Methane related research projects over the last 5 years. The “METH-ABATE” project (funded by DAFM) is looking at the development and validation of novel technologies to reduce methane emissions from pasture based Irish agricultural systems.
This targeted, multifaceted approach will set Ireland on a positive trajectory in the context of the agricultural carbon budgets to 2030.
100. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that agrifood imports into this country from whatever source are only allowed from countries adhering to similar carbon reduction measures that apply in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8249/24]
View answerIreland has an obligation to contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change, and the agri-food sector has a critical role to play in these efforts. The Government has committed to an economy-wide target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030. My position has been consistent that each sector, including agriculture, will need to play its part to achieve this target. We have a number of policies and strategies in place to ensure agriculture plays its role in meeting the national climate targets by 2030 and 2050, while continuing to produce food sustainably.
Agri-food imports are of course subject to a range of requirements that must be met when entering the EU single market. The EU manages trade relations with third countries in the form of trade agreements. They are designed to create better trading opportunities and overcome related barriers. The EU's trade policy is also used as a vehicle for the promotion of European principles and values, from democracy and human rights to environment and social rights.
Recent EU Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and FTA negotiations contain sustainability chapters. New EU FTAs provide an opportunity to address the threats associated with climate change through the inclusion of detailed chapters on Trade and Sustainable Development. Such chapters include provisions which underscore the importance of implementing the provisions of the Paris Agreement and promote the positive contribution that trade can make on the pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the EU FTA with New Zealand, which reached political agreement in June 2022, includes a Trade and Sustainability Chapter which is aligned to the EU’s new “Trade Agreements for Green and Just Growth” approach. This allows for stronger and more enforceable sustainability commitments and a specific list of green goods and services liberalised from the first day of application of the agreement.
Food Vision 2030 is Ireland’s shared stakeholder-led strategy for the agri-food sector and aims for Ireland to be “a world leader in sustainable food systems”. This means that it will be profitable throughout (economic sustainability), have a positive or neutral impact on the natural environment (environmental sustainability), and have broad based benefits for society (social sustainability). One of Food Vision's objectives is to achieve a climate-neutral food system by 2050, with verifiable progress by 2030, encompassing emissions, biodiversity, and water quality, as well as a range of other targets for forestry, fisheries, organic farming, and food waste.
Under the Government's Climate Action Plans, the pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the sector is clearly set out. These measures are grouped around three themes: inputs and additives, husbandry practices, and diversification. In practical terms, the types of actions that the sector is undertaking include reducing chemical nitrogen usage and changing fertiliser type, providing voluntary diversification options for farmers, while also improving the environmental dividend from our farmed land.
Guided by Food Vision 2030, the agriculture sector is undergoing a significant transformation. I believe that this will future proof Ireland’s agri-food sector for the benefit of our sector, the environment and our farm families, who are the backbone of the sector and rural communities. Agri-food in Ireland will continue to be underpinned by our world class livestock and tillage sectors, and it is critical that we work collectively to achieve our environmental targets while maintaining food production.
