Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I thank all of those who participated in the food vision beef and sheep group as well as the stakeholders and representatives who participated in the food vision dairy group. As the Deputy will be aware, we have a 25% reduction in emissions to achieve by the end of 2030 from the agriculture sector as part of our overall contribution to achieving 51% economy-wide by 2030. The Deputy's party did not have a position on what the figures should be. I have worked hard to ensure the ultimate outcome in terms of the sectoral target for agriculture was kept manageable. It will stretch us at 25% but it is doable. I want to be informed by the sectors and farmer representatives in particular as to how we step this forward because working together is going to be key in delivery. Building on the massive work that family farmers done on the environment, improvements in emissions,and further efficiencies will be important but we have to step it out in a way that gets us to that 25% reduction by 2030.

I have received the two reports. I received the food vision dairy group report approximately three weeks ago and I received the food vision beef and sheep group report last week. I am reflecting on and considering it. It is a submission to me and not all the measures in it have the support of everyone, in particular the issue relating to the suckler herd. Whether there will be a voluntary scheme is something that does not have support from any of the farm organisations or, indeed, from the meat factories or processors. I will reflect on all of that and on the suite of options.

That is only one of the aspects but is the one that has received most attention. Both those reports contain many options that can make a difference in achieving our emissions reduction. The Deputy will be aware of my commitment to the suckler sector, which is the anchor of our beef industry and needs to remain so. I have a massive commitment to it which is why I have put in the new beef suckler scheme under the new CAP. I am not making a judgment one way or another on both reports until they are fully considered and then I will make my position clear.

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