Ian Marshall (Independent) | Oireachtas source

For a large portion of this morning, we have heard about the negative contribution made to climate change by agriculture. It is a glaring omission not to use this opportunity to identify a positive contribution made by the industry. Agriculture is unique in that it can make a positive contribution through soil carbon sequestration. Deputy Eamon Ryan made reference to the change in the subsidy and support mechanism of the CAP. I am slightly disappointed because this should not and does not need to be about a subsidy to agriculture because all that would happen is that farmers would be paid for what they already deliver. Soil carbon sequestration means that by managing pastureland efficiently and effectively, one sequesters a lot of carbon, and we must remember that Ireland is mostly pasture. This is something of which we have not taken note and we have not been prepared to consider paying carbon credits to farmers for doing it. I am interested to hear the comments of the witnesses on this.