Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 75: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the assertion that the agriculture sector will not play a significant role in achieving the EU 20% reduction target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14407/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I welcome the recent statement by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which she addressed potential opportunities for Ireland's agricultural sector and the various ways in which the sector is reducing greenhouse gas emissions. She pointed out, for example, that farmers are now using less fertilisers and more efficiently, which cuts nitrous oxide emissions. She also noted that improved efficiencies in animal breeding, which have been researched and supported by Teagasc, have resulted in fewer emissions per unit of production.

Naturally, in a business as usual scenario, emissions from the agriculture sector would rise rather than fall, but that is also true of other sectors of the economy. However, the Government's approach to climate change recognises that it can no longer be a business as usual approach and that we must now focus on making the transition to a lower carbon economy. Every sector will play its part in that transition and every sector, including agriculture, will face opportunities as well as challenges. In this regard, I particularly welcome the Minister's commitment to look for new and innovative abatement options in the agriculture sector and to promote new farming practices and methods that can reduce emissions as they become available.

In addressing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture sector, it is important not to overlook the significant threat which climate change poses for its viability, not least to drought and the need for irrigation. It is essential that both these factors are incorporated into a fundamental analysis of agriculture, forestry and land use. Policies to reduce greenhouse gas concentrations and the effects of climate change will open new opportunities as well as helping to address the threats which climate change presents for Irish agriculture. Through the Cabinet committee on climate change and energy security, I am working on an ongoing basis with my ministerial colleagues to ensure the long-term sustainability of all sectors of the economy, including agriculture.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In the course of his discussions with the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, the Minister said he envisaged low impact agriculture as part of the contribution towards reducing carbon emissions. Perhaps the Minister can explain what he means by low impact agriculture because the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food certainly does not know about it.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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That is under the belt.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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In the context of her contribution to the committee, she indicated that she is exploring a number of options but she has not been specific. Following his discussions about these matters with the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, will the Minister indicate what specific proposals we can expect from the agricultural sector to help reduce carbon emissions in 2008 and 2009? At this stage, I am sure the Minister has a number of specific proposals that his ministerial colleague, Deputy Coughlan, has discussed with him. Do they include no-till agriculture, special dietary requirements for animals or tapping into methane gases from farms? What measures can we expect to see being implemented in the agricultural sector?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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CAP reform will reduce emissions by 2.4 million tonnes per annum. About 2 million tonnes of emissions will be removed annually from the atmosphere by Irish forests. These are significant reductions. From his work on the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, the Deputy will be aware that the Environmental Protection Agency has also done significant work in this regard. I understand that the committee was addressed by Dr. Murphy from UCC on the way in which soilage could be used to create bio-energy. These are significant developments but they are still in their infancy. We need to address the potential for second-generation biofuels. Clearly, we have experienced difficulties with the first generation of biofuels but we can go beyond that.

There are constant technological advances. I recall that many years ago, when I was Lord Mayor of Dublin, I had a car that ran on biofuel, which was the butt of many jokes at the time. Since then, of course, the situation has changed. Given the pioneering work undertaken by Bernard Rice in Teagasc, one can see the sort of change that can be achieved by an individual. If everyone now concentrates on this sector, we can make a significant impact on agriculture. We are talking about major emissions from the agriculture sector of over 28%, but I am confident that with the sort of innovative changes we are examining we can reduce that figure significantly.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Transport and agriculture have been highlighted as the major contributors to carbon emissions. Obviously, the Minister's discussions with his counterpart in the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food have yielded little in terms of what is required to meet our targets in the agricultural sector. Is the Minister getting full co-operation from his Cabinet colleagues in order to meet his commitments, particularly from the Minister, Deputy Coughlan?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Yes. As I said in my opening remarks, there is a recognition now among all parties and members of parties, including Ministers, that this is the defining issue and challenge of our age. Therefore, everyone must step up to the plate. Everyone knows there is an obligation so everyone must bring something to the party. We will all have to contribute. There is an acknowledgement that something serious must be done.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Where is the beef?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The beef is in the many herds of cattle, as the Deputy knows. I have recognised the difficulty, which is that we now have growing markets. The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food may herself have referred to this when she addressed the Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security. There are huge increases in population around the world, along with unprecedented economic growth in countries such as China and India. There is a new affluence in such places and they are looking for more animal protein. The potential is there to expand the national herd and increase emissions as a result, but that will not keep us in compliance with our Kyoto commitments. There is a recognition of the reality and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is keenly aware of her environmental responsibilities.