Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
62. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of engagement with farmers around the sector’s ability to sequester carbon and the challenges they face with climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51707/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very much aware of the important role that on-farm carbon removals and carbon pool protection will play in meeting the sectors challenging climate change targets going forward.
It is important that the increased removal and storage of atmospheric carbon brought about through the on-farm activities of our farmers is not only recognised in the National Inventory Reporting accounting system but also that farmers receive the recognition for their efforts in this area.
Towards this end, I have engaged extensively with farmers and industry to develop a pathway to increase land-based carbon sequestration while also ensuring emission reductions and sustainable growth across the agricultural sector.
The success of this engagement can be seen in the Ag-Climatise Roadmap which sets out a clear pathway for the sector to meet its environmental objectives while also committing to a climate neutral sector by 2050. This document was informed by a number of public and industry consultations which provides ownership of the aims and objectives of the roadmap to all players within the agricultural sector.
In recent months, despite the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented, I have continued to engage with farmers through a number of online and traditional communication platforms to ensure that farmers views are adequately incorporated into both the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan and also the Food Vision 2030 Strategy.
Recent developments such as my announcement of the opening of the Pilot Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme and the provision of significant funding for the establishment of the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory (NASCO) with supporting technology for the measurement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a range of different soil and farm types will inform policy decisions to allow my Department to develop climate change policies which actively promote farmer engagement.
It is also important to note the establishment of a network of Signpost Farms across the country, led by Teagasc, will also actively seek farmer engagement to disseminate research and advisory management advice to provide farmers with the tools they will need to meet the climate challenges they will face in the future.
