Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Agriculture, as our largest indigenous industry, plays a key role in the economy and it is important that we ensure the continued development of our agrifood sector.  Food Wise 2025 sets out a cohesive, strategic plan for the sustainable future growth and development of the sector, with sustainability as a core pillar of the strategy, which I advise the Deputy to read. The recently published Teagasc report, "An Analysis of Abatement Potential of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Irish Agriculture 2021-2030", highlights the potential for greenhouse gas abatement to limit the emissions from the agriculture, forest and land use sectors over the period 2021 to 2030 and outlines the types of abatement options available. My officials are actively engaged in reviewing these options.

A 2013 report by Teagasc concluded that there was an excess of grass to feed livestock under present numbers. Meeting the increasing demand for grass supply, responding to increases in livestock numbers, will require increased levels of soil fertility and grassland management coupled with increased levels of grass utilisation. One of the key early findings emerging from the analyses of data captured in PastureBase Ireland indicates that many farms have the potential to increase their grass growth. If soil fertility and grazing management can be improved, farms are capable of increasing grass production.

My Department and its agencies, Teagasc and Bord Bia, have a strong focus on improving grassland and nutrient management with measures such as Grass10; nutrient management planning, NMP, online; and the pasture profit index in place. My Department and its agencies also have a strong focus on improving the efficiency and sustainability of farming and have invested heavily in a number of schemes and measures such as the Origin Green initiative, the beef data and genomics programme and the green, low-carbon, agri-environment scheme, known as GLAS.  Our knowledge transfer programmes are key to bringing the latest innovative sustainability research and practices direct to farmers. We are also actively promoting the adoption of technologies, for example, the funding of low emission slurry spreading equipment under targeted agricultural modernisation schemes, TAMS, and research findings, for example, soil fertility and other mitigation actions to promote efficiency and sustainability.

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