Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is the responsibility of every industry and sector to play its part in meeting the climate change targets in the coming years. We are setting ourselves ambitious targets, which is the right thing to do. However, it is vital that each sector bear a fair share of the burden. That is true of agriculture but the burden must be economically sustainable.

We have the bioeconomy and ongoing research in UCD under Professor Kevin O'Connor. In my constituency, we have the Lisheen site which is producing research and technology that will be a great help in sustainable food production.

To meet our targets, it is essential that we have an environmental scheme, similar to the previous rural environment protection scheme, REPS, which farmers will buy into and which will have 50,000 to 60,000 participants.

The Minister mentioned the part that forestry has to play. We are meeting less than 50% of our planting targets in forestry. Unfortunately, that will have an impact on reaching our targets on emissions reductions.

In the short time available to me, I will raise the issue of designated land. Brussels has made proposals to increase the amount of designated land in this country. Whether it is land in the Shannon Callows, hen harrier land or designated land under another banner, farmers are not being properly compensated for the restrictions being placed on them. This land has a very significant role to play in reducing emissions and producing a carbon sink. I have never seen restrictions imposed on farmers which have reduced the capital value of their land by up to 80%. It is imperative, given the challenge of climate change we face, that farmers who have had designation imposed on them be properly compensated.

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