Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Savage for the presentation. I have three questions, the first of which is about all those methodologies he was talking about for improving herd performance. Are they not already embraced by the Teagasc list that covers genetics, feed, age, sward, animal health, slurry, fertilisers, early slaughter and all these matters? Teagasc has attempted to delineate what the policy ought to be and what the impact might be. Are we not already embracing those? That seems to be existing policy.

I can fully understand why Mr. Savage said we should focus on highest protein efficiency for those who can do it most efficiently. However, is it the case that this would have to be done at EU level? What we have at EU level are specific greenhouse gas targets for Ireland, which it must meet. The decision we have is how we allocate that between different gases and see what the knock-on effect is for different sectors. That is what we are trying to assess. It seems that we do not have the luxury of ignoring global GHG figures. We are tied in under Paris and the EU approach. One could argue that we ought to change the EU approach. That is a legitimate argument.

Mr. Savage said there is a relentless rise in animal protein demand. The fundamental question I presume people would ask is whether that relentless growth is consistent with the Paris objectives. We cannot afford to assume just because the middle class is growing across the globe that we will be able to expand production to meet existing patterns of protein consumption. Do we not have to be a bit more sensitive to what is possible within the Paris context?