Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2023
57. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline his position on including the food system in the Global Stocktake documents discussed at COP28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55788/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is a leading voice in advocating for global food systems transformation, based on an appreciation of the central importance of farming, fishing and food production to rural and coastal communities and of course to global food security. The urgency to transform our agri-food systems in a holistic way cannot be understated. We must strive for a resilient model which is environmentally, economically and socially sustainable; a model that provides healthy affordable diets for all. My Department has strongly supported the UN Food Systems Summit process and are working with partners globally to promote sustainable food systems approaches. COP28 has now put food systems transformation on the global climate agenda as more than 152 world leaders have endorsed the Declaration on “Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems, and Climate Action”, including An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. With a growing global population, countries that can produce livestock, beef, lamb and dairy products really well need to continue to produce that food in a system that is seeing emissions reduce. Ireland is one of those countries.
I attended COP to participate in a series of events highlighting the importance of Sustainable Food Systems. This is the first time the COP Presidency has prioritised the link between climate policy and the food system, and as a food producing nation, it is critically important that Irish agriculture and food is presented on the world stage.
I held a series of important bilaterals at COP and these engagements were an important opportunity to highlight the considerable work being done in Ireland to address the challenges of climate change and food security through innovation and systemic change. Through sharing our experience, we hope to play a key role in the global transformation of food systems which will be of benefit to all and lead to more sustainable outcomes. I co-hosted an event with the COP Presidency, UAE, entitled “A Sustainable Food Systems Approach to Innovation for Climate Action” and also participated in the event hosted by the United States Chamber of Commerce, “Reducing Methane from Food and Agriculture”. Food Vision 2030, Ireland’s stakeholder strategy for the agri-food sector, was developed using a food systems approach, linking policies for food, agriculture, health and the environment. Implementation of Food Vision 2030 is underway, with the vision of Ireland becoming a “World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems”, encompassing environmental, economic and social sustainability. Ireland is seeking to become a global leader of innovation for sustainable food and agriculture systems, producing safe, nutritious, and high-value food, while protecting and enhancing its natural and cultural resources and contributing to vibrant rural and coastal communities and the national economy. I will continue to promote food systems transformation both in Ireland and in our bilateral and multilateral engagements internationally.
