Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I fully agree with the Deputy's key point about the setting of targets for the agriculture and food sector. We have to ensure our capacity to produce food will continue into the future. We are a world leader in sustainable production, with our grass-fed, pasture-based model. It is important we continue that.

It is also important to reduce the overall carbon footprint of the food we produce. That is the way forward, not only to make a real contribution to tackling climate change but also to ensure that our sector is as strong as possible into the future and that the value of the food we produce is maximised on the international markets, where 90% of that food is sold. The Deputy has been to the fore in respect of ensuring that the balance in this regard is the correct one. I very much concur with him on that. At Government level, there is a strong recognition of that and, in agreeing the sectoral targets, we are determined to ensure they are ambitious and recognise the importance of the economic and social role of producing food.

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