Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are aware of the need to have a sustainable and secure food system. Food Vision 2030 sets out a food systems approach to how we deliver that. All the stakeholders have come together to drive that on. It is important that we are sustainable in what we do. That is why we are seeking to reduce chemical nitrogen, to increase clover swards and to reduce emissions across the board, while keeping food security central to what we do and keeping food production up. That is important too. We should not take our eye off the ball on that either.

As the Deputy knows, I have strongly supported the tillage sector. Thankfully, we have seen the level stabilise in recent years. I want to see that grow over the next period of time. It is important that we grow more grain domestically. It is important that we supply and produce the food, not just for what we consume ourselves, but also for what we supply internationally. We must do that sustainably. While the current food security challenge is a result of the war on European soil, the food security challenges in a generation’s time will be around climate change. Therefore, across the board, we have to work together to prepare for that. We will do so by reducing emissions. The food security challenge of the future will arise if we do not reduce emissions.

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