Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his response. As we all know, the move to a low-carbon economy involves a transition across many sectors. In this instance, we are focusing specifically and momentarily on agriculture. The ambition is for the Government to align food production systems with consumer sentiment and environmental ambition. As a result of the commitments made in the programme for Government to achieve that, we have seen the climate action plan and emission reductions across Departments and various sectors, including agriculture, and we have signed up to the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, scheme with its many associated environmental elements and conditionalities.

I wish to focus on one of those elements, that being, the good agricultural and environmental condition, GAEC. On first glance, it appears to go much further than was committed to under peatlands restoration. Bord na Móna drew down approximately €100 million from the European Commission for its restoration and rewetting programme. The National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, and the Office of Public Works, OPW, also drew down funds for that practice in respect of their lands. The initial EU restoration programme was eventually tailored to meet our commitments under the rewetting programme in terms of State lands, lands owned by Coillte, etc. The programme was not envisaged as going beyond that, but it would appear there is talk in the context of the GAEC of a certain percentage of soil matter not being subject to normal farming practices as a condition of CAP. This matter needs to be clarified. I am sure the Department will do so in the coming weeks now that the issue has been highlighted to it.

The ambition behind the NESC’s report is to ensure there is dialogue and consultation across all sectors and stakeholders, ultimately leading to agreement on land use, biodiversity, just transition, farming practices, commitments on energy provision, what the agricultural sector can contribute in that regard and the funding associated with it. However, it would appear the horse has bolted in some respects and that consultation, dialogue, commitment, inclusiveness and informed decision-making are coming after the commitments we have signed up to within the GAEC under CAP. I would like the Government to reflect on this matter and respond appropriately so we can square the circle that appears to be emerging. The nitrates directive was a commitment that was signed up to on the basis that there would be improvements in water quality. In the absence of those, there is an understanding that we cannot revisit it. We must ensure that, in the meantime, we provide measures and show the progress that can be made on retaining the level of 220 kg N/ha as opposed to 170 kg N/ha, which would decimate the sector. This is notwithstanding a period within which we might be able to find new initiatives to assist those who have been hit by the initial derogation.

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