Vol. 548 No. 4
103 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the expected levels of nitrogenous fertiliser used here in 2010 on a no policy change basis; and the way in which he proposes to reduce this level by 10% in accordance with the commitment in the national climate change strategy. [5127/02]
The business as usual projection for nitrogenous fertiliser usage in 2010 is in the region of 420,000 tonnes.
A number of policy options will contribute to reaching the target for reduction in emissions of nitrous oxide under the national climate change strategy. Under the CAP rural development plan, it is projected that there will be 70,000 farmers in the new rural environment protection scheme by 2006. The impact of this additional participation in REPS will lead to a more sustainable farming environment. It is anticipated that an extra 25,000 farmers will follow nutrient management plans by comparison with REPS 1 thus improving the management of organic manures and chemical fertilisers.
Under the Agenda 2000 agreement all farmers receiving payments under various Department's schemes, including the direct payment schemes, must practice farming in accordance with certain environmental requirements. Accordingly, my Department published a good farming practice booklet in August 2001 and distributed it to all farmers. Key aspects of the booklet include nutrient and grassland management.
104 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the way in which he proposes to reduce CH4 emissions from the national herd by 2010 as promised in the national climate change strategy. [5128/02]
105 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the projected livestock numbers by each category here in 2010 on a no policy change basis; and the policy changes he proposes to make to achieve the reduction in livestock numbers by 10% below their projected levels as promised in the national climate change strategy. [5129/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 105 together.
The commitment in the national climate change strategy is to secure methane or CH4 emission reductions equivalent to a reduction of 10% in livestock numbers by 2010. A number of policy options will contribute to achieving the target and an appropriate balance will be maintained between direct reductions in stock numbers and other measures.
The encouragement of less intensive levels of livestock farming following from the Agenda 2000 outcome will contribute to a reduction in the emissions of methane. The change in the disadvantaged areas compensatory allowances scheme from an animal based system to an area based system removes the incentive to maximise stocking densities. This will also be a factor in reducing methane emissions. A change in market demand for beef leading to a reduction in age at slaughter would also contribute positively to meeting climate change targets.
A research programme is being undertaken to identify potential actions that would contribute to meeting the strategy's targets in the agriculture area. The research includes assessing the impact of different levels of concentrates in the diet of bovine animals on methane emissions and age of slaughter. Different feeding stuffs, dietary supplements or additives are also being examined with regard to their impact on methane emissions.
|
Dairy cattle |
1,112,400 |
|
Other cattle |
5,721,840 |
|
Sheep |
6,300,710 |
|
Pigs |
1,881,590 |
|
Poultry |
14,982,100 |
|
Horses |
69,900 |
|
Mules |
7,600 |
|
Goats |
14,900 |
