Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Mitloehner. Both opening statements have set the tone for what we want to discuss today. There are two aspects of what we want to focus on. One is the calculation of methane emissions and the other, which Dr. Mitloehner focused on in his opening statement, is the reduction of emissions. I met him a couple weeks ago in County Tipperary and he said there are the same number of cows in California as we have in Ireland. Over the past five years, they have managed to reduce their emissions by 30%. I know his side of farming there is different to ours, but he spoke at that day on what he has done with feed additives and the way he incorporated them to have an impact on methane emissions. Anaerobic digesters are playing a huge role. One thing I took out of the meeting we had with Dr. Mitloehner at the Horse and Jockey Hotel is that the organic production of the animal was worth 50% of our milk output. What was being produced out a cow’s rear end was worth 50% of what milk she was producing. That shows the value of slurry. In the modern world, if it can be used for energy generation, it has a huge economic value. We are definitely behind the curve both with not only America, but the rest of Europe in embracing that technology for the benefit of the entire economy.

I now open the meeting up to members for questions for both sets of witnesses. Professor Allen said he will come in to contribute when the questions come in. I call Deputy Fitzmaurice.