Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Kent was making us hungry at the end of his contribution. I thank all the contributors for coming today, providing the background documentation forwarded to the committee and the succinct presentations. I will start with a question about the sustainable dairy initiative and the potential that might exist for it to reduce emissions. How will the curve go in the next period with regard to the expansion of the dairy industry and the impact it is likely to have on carbon emissions, taking into account what it is hoped to achieve with the sustainable dairy initiative and other measures? The organic sector has a part to play in terms of climate change and increasing the percentage of land under organic farming, as we have discussed at the committee before. What are the key support measures required in this respect?

The thread that came from Teagasc, which I agree with, is that we should push on in trying to achieve the Food Wise 2025 targets, taking into account our obligations and trying to be sustainable. How does Teagasc see the curve going from its current assessment with respect to the carbon footprint of Irish agriculture? I look forward to its updated report on marginal abatement. How much does Teagasc believe we can achieve in reductions over the coming period? I thank the ICSA for its contribution. It made points about trade deals with Mercosur and I concur with those.