Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Maintaining a strong and viable suckler beef herd is a commitment in the programme for Government. The climate action plan, as we know, was published this week. It sets a target for reducing agricultural emissions by 10% between 2017 and 2030. Based on calf registrations, we had suckler cow emission reductions of 5% in 2018 alone and if the 2019 trend continues, we will have achieved the 13 year target for the suckler sector in 24 months.

In that context, I seek assurances that the Government will not accept a European Commission proposal for even greater cuts to the suckler herd. Such cuts would cause significant job losses across the midlands and west, forcing up to 20,000 people in the region to commute long distances in order to access employment, a development that would add significantly to our overall level of transport emissions.

See this speech in context