Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 29 May 2024
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed)
Mr. Conor Mulvihill:
We will endeavour to get that back and by the sounds of it we might have it in time for the publication of the report in terms of the timeline. We will certainly get it to the Cathaoirleach and the members.
In terms of the Deputy's second question, I could not agree more. I would double down on that point about carbon leakage, which is pooh-poohed. If it is not produced here, people want nutritious dairy. We often say we are not in the food industry; we are in the nutrition industry. There are people today in nursing homes and hospitals that are taking in dairy nutrition that is keeping them alive. This is not Burger King or McDonald's. This is what people need in terms of nutrition, so that is very important. Food security is a great element and we are able to do it economically and in an environmentally sustainable way.
In terms of the innovation question Deputy Mythen asked, we are nothing without our farmers. Everyone here is here on the back of farm families. We are privileged to be here and we have to have our own house in order as an industry. It is not often talked about, and I do not think it is talked about enough, that farming has 25%. A newspaper cannot be opened without seeing a culture war article about farmers and farming obligations. Industry has a 35% target and no one talks about it. It is not just agri-industry; it is all types of industry. If we want to be credible to our farmers, we have to hit our own targets both on the carbon reduction talked about but also having our water quality right coming out of factories. We are investing not thousands but millions in water quality improvement. Mr. Sheahan, who is the CEO, is on that. Does anybody want to take it up?