Dr. Eamon Haughey:

The use of nitrogen has increased by approximately 800% since 1961. There are a few reasons for this massive global increase. The use of nitrogen began from a very low base, particularly in the developing world. It has increased most dramatically in Asia over the period. It is clear that there are issues with water quality. We talk a lot about sustainable intensification. This report sets out some statements on limits to intensification when it becomes unsustainable. When water quality is reduced and it is obvious that there are inefficiencies in the system, I would say the use of that fertiliser is no longer sustainable. A related finding is that there has been an increase in nitrous oxide emissions from agriculture globally over the same period. That is linked to the increase in ruminant agriculture and fertiliser inputs. There are several things that can be done here in Ireland. Teagasc is doing a great deal of work on the need for an uptake in the use of clovers in grassland swards. It is an active research area. Clover can reduce the amount of nitrogen that is needed because it fixes it naturally from the atmosphere. It is a win-win. The protein content of clover is higher than that of grass, which makes it another win. The protein sufficiency of farms can be increased in this way. I mention that in response to the point that was made about the land area required for feed.

I will explain why biodiversity was not covered in the special report on land. Part of the reason is that another report from the UN - the IPBES report on biodiversity - was published earlier this year. Biodiversity was not dealt with as a main issue in the special report, which focused on climate. The Government did not ask for biodiversity to be a main chapter in the special report. One of the outcomes of the special report is the recommendation that we need to act by using integrated response options which consider many challenges at once. It is not necessarily the best idea to focus solely on targeting mitigation, for example. Some of the high nature value grasslands we have in Ireland, particularly in the north and the west, where there are less productive soils, might not be the best place to put forestry because that would have a really negative impact on biodiversity. Regional specificity is certainly an important part of that kind of thing as well.

My final point relates to food waste and horticulture. Agricultural diversification is identified in this report as one of the response options. I am looking at a table that is referred to as figure SPM.3. Agricultural diversification is positive across mitigation, adaptation, desertification, land degradation and food security. Ireland has one of the lowest rates of vegetable and horticultural production in Europe. If we could improve that, it would be beneficial for farmers' incomes. Having a more diverse income stream can buffer against the food price shocks we associate with dips in the price of milk or beef. It could be of benefit to have another income stream. Potentially, there is a lot that could be done with regard to diversification.