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Legislative Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 June 2012

Thursday, 14 June 2012

Ceisteanna (7)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

7Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the talks he has had in relation to the creation of a climate change bill and its potential impact on the objectives of Food Harvest 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28512/12]

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Freagraí ó Béal (9 píosaí cainte)

In launching the national climate policy review in November 2011, my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, confirmed the objective, in line with the programme for Government, to introduce climate legislation within the lifetime of the Government. The Minister, Deputy Hogan, announced a three-pronged approach to the development of a robust and comprehensive response to Ireland's obligations, challenges and opportunities in the area of climate policy. These included a public consultation process, which ran from February 2012 to end April 2012, to ensure that the widest possible range of views is brought into the debate on future policy; an analysis by the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, secretariat of future policy options; and ongoing work, through the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and the Green Economy to drive sectoral progress on emissions mitigation. As part of its analysis the NESC Secretariat has been asked to examine options for policies and measures to close the distance to Ireland's 2020 targets and the development of a basis for a long-term 2050 vision for a low-carbon economy.

I realise the Deputy's question relates to the challenges for the agrifood sector. When one takes out the traded sector in terms of emissions, namely, the 106 biggest emitters in Ireland that will be part of an EU emissions trading system, 40% of Ireland's emission problem comes from agriculture and food production. If we are being asked to reduce our emissions by 20% as a country, from the base year until 2020, that is a huge ask for the agrifood side. In my view, when those targets were set, Ireland's burden, or the target set for us, was inappropriate. That has been shown to be the case since, in terms of the figures that were released recently. Nevertheless that is what we are dealing with now.

I have made it clear at a European level that I believe there is a contradiction between climate change policy, on which the European Union is rightly trying to give global leadership, and food security policy. The reality is that Ireland produces food at one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. In other words, the carbon intensity of food production in Ireland is lower than it is practically anywhere else on the planet yet we are under pressure to limit food production in order to meet climate change targets. That makes no sense.

If I may interrupt the Minister, I will call Deputy Moynihan.

To conclude, we are putting a plan in place, as a Department, working through the Cabinet sub-committee on climate change and the green economy to do what is reasonable but at the same time seeking not to damage the aspirations and ambition of our Food Harvest programme targets. That is the appropriate way to move ahead.

The important element in whatever climate change Bill is implemented is the targets in Food Harvest 2020. These were discussed during the past two years and have been the targets of both the last Government and this one, as well as the wider community within the agricultural sector. What is the timeframe for the implementation of this Bill in regard to when it will be published or introduced? I am encouraged that the Minister is looking to balance the book between the Food Harvest 2020 programme, the production of food and food security and the climate change issue.

The only definite commitment I can give the Deputy today with regard to a timeframe is that climate change legislation will be introduced within the lifetime of the Government, as long as it runs its full term.

Is there something I do not know?

Something unforeseen could happen. I am committed to the climate change agenda. I am also committed to our Food Harvest plan and to expanding the Irish food industry so it can fulfil its full potential. Both of those things can be done. Many things can be done in Irish agriculture to reduce emissions. Grazing seasons can be extended. We can look at ways of changing how we spread slurry. We can consider direct drilling in arable farming. A series of practical things that are doable and affordable for farmers can have a positive impact on the emissions that may come from spreading slurry. The management of the grazing of herds can be examined. One can do a great deal in relation to food conversion efficiency to reduce methane emissions from herds. We can reduce the time it takes to bring a beef steer or beef heifer through its full life cycle. It is obvious that the shorter the animal's life cycle, the fewer the emissions that come from it. I am interested in making practical policy direction proposals within the agriculture sector that are aimed at reducing emissions in a reasonable way, where appropriate. I am not in the business of reducing our ambition or expectation in terms of growth and expansion in this sector. I do not think that would be appropriate or in the interests of the environment.

I heard the Minister mention "changing how we spread slurry" as a means of potentially reducing carbon emissions. Has he given any thought to the possibility of introducing a national plan to promote anaerobic digestion, the conversion of slurry into bio-gas and the creation of fertiliser? Such an approach would reduce the potential for run-off into our streams and rivers.

That is a useful suggestion. The answer to the Deputy's question is "Yes". The last Government introduced an anaerobic digester grant aid scheme for which farmers could apply. Just two of the ten applications that were made have actually progressed. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is actively considering how it can encourage and support the development of anaerobic digesters in Ireland. I think it needs to be done at district level. We need to ensure that multiple feedstuffs - not just farm slurry, belly grass from beef factories or waste from dairy processing - go into the anaerobic digester. We have worked on this with Professor Jerry Murphy of University College Cork, who is Ireland's leading expert on anaerobic digestion, and we will continue to do so. I hope to introduce new initiatives by the end of the year to support anaerobic digestion, particularly at quite a large-scale district level. There are economies of scale that can be achieved to help anaerobic digestion to be financially viable.

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