Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2019
163. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the Climate Change Advisory Council called for a 53% reduction in the national suckler herd with no corresponding obligations being placed on other farming sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37766/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) Annual Review 2019 highlights the key role of the agriculture, forestry and land-use sector in reducing emissions between now and 2030.
The All-of-Government Climate Action Plan to tackle climate breakdown identifies a series of actions for the agriculture, forestry and land-use sector that ensure a fair contribution from agriculture and land use to our transition to a low carbon economy and society. This reflects our three pillar policy approach to achieving carbon neutrality without comprising sustainable food production. This plan sets an ambitious target for the sector to reduce its emissions to between 17.5 and 19 Mt CO2e by achieving between 16.5 and 18.5 Mt CO2 e over the period 2021-2030.
These targets are not without its challenges but the Teagasc MACC report illustrates a suite of actions that provide opportunity for emissions reductions and a pathway towards achieving our commitments.
To reach the target of 19 Mt CO2 eq in 2030 requires us to manage the emissions profile from the sector between now and then through mobilisation of as many of these actions as possible as early as possible with high levels of take-up across our 139,000 farms. The CCAC report highlights the importance of early adoption by farmers of the measures outlined in the Climate Action Plan. All mechanisms, such as the CAP reform, market incentive and regulation will also be investigated in full by all the relevant stakeholders, including industry, to mobilise the necessary actions as swiftly as possible.
The next Common Agriculture Policy will be fully aligned with this need to prioritise climate action. There will be a step up in environmental and climate delivery in the next CAP. The development of our CAP strategic plan will ensure the delivery of this target. A consultation process on the next CAP has already started and negotiations on CAP policy will intensify over the coming months.
