Francis O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Cuffe.

I oppose the passage of the Climate Change Response Bill at this stage because I am convinced the targets set for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are excessive and will damage the competitiveness of Irish agriculture and the entire agrifood sector. Sufficient thought has not been applied to how the provisions of the Bill will affect farming and rural communities. This is a highly technical and complex Bill which has been published in a hurry and is being rushed through the Seanad before we have time to understand exactly what it is committing the country to undertake by 2020. Before the Bill can be progressed, there must be a period of consultation in order to get feedback from all stakeholders, with the information gathered being made available.

It is now widely accepted that the world's population is increasing and the demand for food is growing. Any proposed reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from farming must be considered in a worldwide context. Emissions from Irish agriculture fell by 8% between 1990 and 2008, almost twice the target agreed in the Kyoto Protocol that directed that emissions were to be reduced by 5% between 1990 and 2012. Any policy that reduces agricultural activities in countries such as Ireland which has a high production rate and a low carbon footprint at a time of increased demand for food and renewable energy sources is likely to be counterproductive in reducing greenhouse gas emissions on a worldwide basis. Any proposed reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from farming must be considered in a worldwide context. In this country 26% of overall greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture compared with an EU average of 9%. As agriculture is crucial for the future well-being of the Irish economy, it is important we do not introduce excessive targets that will reduce our competitiveness and hinder ability to grow the sector.

The Teagasc director, Professor Gerry Boyle, at a conference on climate change presented results from a recent Food and Agriculture Organisation report indicating that Ireland's grass-based dairy system has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. In a further study carried out by Trinity College and Teagasc, the current proposed reduction in greenhouse gas emissions was predicted to result in losses to Irish beef farmers to the total of €180 million per annum. The processing sector would see a further loss of €570 million per annum.

These cuts will impact not only on the farming community but on all those living in country towns who are employed in beef factories. Agricultural production in the form of Irish food and drink has been a significant contributor to the excellent performance of Irish exports in the past year. The recently published Food Harvest 2020 report indicated that Irish agrifood, fisheries and forestry would play a crucial role in Ireland's economic recovery by increasing exports to €12 billion by 2020. It is vital the right environment is created to allow agriculture to grow and develop to achieve the targets set out in the report.

Food Harvest 2020 targets will be achieved by setting realistic goals for the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to meet Ireland's international obligations. The targets set in the Climate Change Response Bill exceed our existing EU obligations and national commitments. There must be international agreement allowing for the inclusion of carbon sinks in EU and international carbon accounting before we bring in the Bill before the House today. This would give farmers credit for their contribution to the environment and reduce the overall carbon loading on the sector. This process should be negotiated and agreed before the provisions of this Bill are accepted. I recommend that this Bill be rejected today and deferred for a period to allow for further consultation with the stakeholders in the agrifood sector.