Dr. Pierre-Marie Aubert:

On the question of innovation, we have to think about how we envision the agriculture sector ten to 15 years down the line. Are we talking about improving the existing sector or reshaping it? If it is the former, then we have a series of technological improvements that, if not already available, will probably soon be available in terms of methanogenesis to reduce the enteric fermentation from ruminants, and in terms of changing feed structures to reduce enteric fermentation. Those are two things that are about to be taken up on farms and they will lead to emissions reductions of 20% to 25% on average at farm level for the same herd. This will not bring us to carbon neutrality, however. Keeping the sector the same overall, even if we apply all the technologies we know, will not lead us to carbon neutrality or even sufficient reduction. We have to think about reshaping the sector. Innovations are not easy to discuss ahead of time. I must admit that, as I do not know enough about the Irish sector, I cannot really make any pronouncements. I am aware of a couple of things that can be done in respect of arable crops, but they are not ones that are grown here. I have some difficulty in this regard.

The risk of carbon leakage is another, less-efficient aspect. It all relates to the discussion we had regarding the real demand and the extent to which we create the demand that is needed for our economic development, speaking as European citizens. Keeping in mind that 85% of dairy production in Ireland is exported, 70% of it to the European market and the rest to third countries, the strategy is to increase Ireland's market share in third countries such as India and China. Frankly, I do not know anything about what a sustainable diet is there but for European people, we could easily cut our dairy consumption by a third or even by half without any consequences for our health. Those are the nutrition recommendations of the European Food Safety Authority; they are not coming from NGOs or advocacy people. On that topic, if the level of demand remains constant or even increases, which is what is foreseen by the international network of dairy production, then taxing countries that are the most efficient - Ireland is among the most efficient countries regarding dairy production - might lead to some displacement in other countries that are less efficient-----