Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2023
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the degree to which agrifood production can continue without interruption given the likelihood of food shortages in the medium and short term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10239/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which he remains committed to ensuring and safeguarding agrifood production in this country, while at the same time meeting carbon reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10240/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 together.
The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050 and a reduction in emissions of 51% by 2030 compared to 2018 levels. Following the process set out in the Act, a carbon budget programme proposed by the Climate Change Advisory Council was adopted by the Oireachtas on 6 April 2022. On 28 July, the Government approved Sectoral Emission Ceilings for both the first and second carbon budget periods, (i.e. 2021-2025 and 2026-2030), with the exception the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, which will be determined later. For our agriculture sector, this process has set a 10% emissions reduction target by 2025 and a 25% emissions reduction target by 2030.
The 2023 Climate Action Plan has outlined how these emissions reductions can be achieved in the coming years, increasing our ambition for efficiency in the sector while also promoting the diversification of agricultural activities. These actions will on one hand improve animal breeding, feeding and finishing and on the other will encourage farmers to diversify into more sustainable sectors including organics, tillage and biomethane production. Targets include expanding the organic sector to 450,000 hectares, growing the tillage sector to 400,000 hectares and construction of up to 200 Anaerobic Digestion plants. It will also reduce our chemical fertiliser use to a maximum of 300,000 tonnes by 2030.
My Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine continue to collaborate on reducing our carbon emissions, while also ensuring the security and sustainability of our food production. This represents a key opportunity for Ireland to become a world leader in long-term sustainable food production. I remain confident that our family farms will fully exploit the opportunities of this transition without compromising on sustainable food production.
