Mr. Bill Callanan:

Undoubtedly so, following on from the debate on the report. FoodWise 2025 was drawn up by a committee of 35 industry experts in the agri-sector. It identifies sustainability as one of the key requirements and objectives for the agricultural sector. It sets out, as an over-arching chapter, five core areas such as innovation, capital, sustainability, etc.. It is important to recognise that it highlights the importance of climate change in the overall national debate and also in terms of the expectation of delivering sustainable food production and positive outcomes for the environment. This is taken seriously within the Department.

FoodWise 2025 is subject to quarterly review through the high level implementation committee, which is chaired by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Also, I chair the environmental sustainable committee which brings the agencies and other Departments together and is charged with oversight of the implementation of the recommendations in the report in terms of the environment. It is important from a message point of view to identify the contribution that agriculture is making and the efforts of the Department in terms of enhancing efficiencies across multiple layers. In regard to greenhouse gas emissions across the State, we have a role and responsibility in terms of achieving the best outcomes we can in reducing emissions from the sector and we take this particularly seriously because there is a regulatory demand in that regard and also a marketplace demand. As an exporter, the sustainable systems we have must stand up to independent scrutiny internationally. Bord Bia is very focused on this; the Origin Green programme arises from this process. Bord Bia, Teagasc and the Department are very focused on achieving the maximum efficiencies that can be gained within the sector.

On the national herd and the demand for a reduction in that regard, this is not the case. There is a national ambition in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, to which we are all committed, but there is not a sectoral target in that regard, nor is there an identification of how this should be achieved. It is very much up to the industry and the Department to set out how they propose to contribute to the national effort in reducing emissions. The Department is committed to doing that.