Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
103. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in light of extreme weather patterns in recent years and in particular the flooding of lands and high water table, he will consider providing a grant scheme to farmers to develop land drains on their boundaries. [18374/24]
View answerExtreme weather events have become more common in recent years and the weather we have experienced since last July is a further indication of the effects of climate change. Modelling for future climate has predicted that these extreme events will continue, particularly with respect to extreme rainfall events in winter and periods of drought in summer.
Adaptation to Climate Change in agriculture is accepting that these changes will occur and adapting our farming systems to cope with these challenges. This includes everything from researching new production systems or techniques for existing production systems and sharing practices that work with farmers. It is not a one-time emergency response, but a series of proactive measures that are taken over time to build resilience to the impacts of climate change ultimately minimising the costs of climate change and maximising any opportunities that may arise.
In this context, the National Adaptation Framework is updated on a five-year basis. This process is led by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications. As part of this process, Minister Ryan held a public consultation on the National Adaptation Framework earlier this year to seek feedback from relevant stakeholders and the public on the new draft framework. Submissions received in that consultation are being reviewed and it is anticipated that a revised draft of the National Adaptation Framework will be submitted to Government for approval shortly.
As in the past the National Adaptation Framework will provide the guidelines, but the individual sectors will be responsible to preparing their own Sectoral Adaptation Plans. My own Department will have to update the Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Agriculture, Seafood and Forestry. Similarly, the Office of Public Works will have to update the Flood Risk Management Sectoral Adaptation Plan.
It is premature to consider providing a grant scheme to farmers to develop land drains on their boundaries in advance of the publication of an updated Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Agriculture, Seafood and Forestry.
