Mr. Mark Griffin:

I am reluctant to speak for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on this particular issue. The objective for the agriculture sector for 2050 is carbon neutrality, while ensuring the things we need to do in respect of food security and food sustainability are reflected in any decisions that are taken.

There has been huge investment in afforestation over the last decades. That is recognised at EU level in how the effort-sharing regulations are being structured. The EU is making allowances for the possibility of netting off some of the obligations by factoring in the changes that have been made on the afforestation programme. There is a lot of work ongoing under the GLAS scheme and the targeted agricultural modernisation schemes, TAMS. There has been huge investment in the beef data genomic project.

When I listen to colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine talk about this particular issue they are strongly of the view, in respect of the approach being taken in the Food Wise 2025 strategy to increase dairy output and the national herd and so on, that it is being done in a climate-friendly fashion. They say that the dairy and beef sectors are two of the most climate-friendly sectors when one considers similar such sectors at EU level.

Much work is being done in the agricultural area in this regard. I do not doubt that more will have to be done but I would not express a view one way or another on what the assembly has specifically proposed in this area. I take the Deputy's point about carbon leakage. This is when industries are vulnerable to the impact of industries in third countries, such as our agriculture sector and the industry in Brazil and Argentina for example. Particular consideration needs to be given, from a climate change perspective, in how we manage that.