Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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6. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that sufficient room for manoeuvre exists to ensure that the agri-food sector will not be negatively affected by European or global carbon reduction requirements, with particular reference to expected increased food production arising from Food Harvest 2020, and in the aftermath of the abolition of milk quotas; if he is satisfied he can take adequate steps to ensure the future of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18645/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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This question relates to the extent to which the Minister remains satisfied that the agri-food sector can develop and expand in line with the Food Harvest 2020 projections and in the aftermath of the abolition of dairy quotas and keeping in mind the extent to which he can secure that carbon penalties do not negatively impact on the sector.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this very important issue. As our sector grows and expands this issue will become even more significant. We need to respond to the questions regarding the sustainability of the growth of Irish agriculture. I contend that we will have a very impressive growth period in agriculture but this will be managed in a sustainable way.

It is vital that in terms of setting EU climate change policy to 2030 there is coherence with EU agriculture and food security policy. The October 2014 European Council conclusions accepted some critical principles for the multiple objectives of agriculture and the land use sector, including recognition of the limited cost-effective mitigation options available. I met with Commissioner Cañete, the Spanish climate change Commissioner, last month, with a view to building upon the October conclusions. I reiterated the reality of the challenges faced by the Irish agriculture sector and which need to be recognised in future EU climate and food policies. Officials from my Department and other Departments are applying a whole-of-government approach to engagement with the Commission in order to seek an appropriate framework for agriculture within EU climate policy. My Department has also established an agriculture climate change committee, which includes Teagasc, EPA and Bord Bia, which is informing the development of national and EU policy on agriculture and climate change.

As our largest indigenous industry, it is hugely important that we ensure the continued development of our agri-food sector. The Deputy will have heard me say previously that the real challenge is to produce more while mitigating our emissions. This can be achieved by sustainable intensification where the focus is on the emissions intensity of our production systems. We have an excellent record in this regard and it is independently and internationally recognised that ours is one of the most climate and resource-efficient agri-food production systems in the world.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. Is he satisfied that he will achieve common cause with his EU agriculture ministerial colleagues in this regard, particularly from some countries? Will he indicate the extent and degree to which in an overall European scenario Ireland can benefit vis-à-visthose countries who do not have the major issue of developing an agricultural sector and market, while at the same time keeping within the climate change guidelines?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am satisfied that Ireland is on course to comply with the annual mitigation targets under the 2009 EU effort-sharing decision in the first half of the 2013 to 2020 compliance period. However, there will be significant compliance challenges in the years 2017 to 2020, if the economy continues to grow as it is. The first iteration of the national mitigation plan, which is being prepared under the planned legislation, will not only focus on addressing this challenge but will also look to 2030 and beyond. My Department is developing the sectoral mitigation plan for agriculture and this will examine how the sector can play its part. I intend that it will play a significant role in that challenge.

Looking to the future and a further development of the agri-food industry over the next decade, a high-level committee which I established towards the end of last year is in the process of developing a ten-year strategy to 2025. This will include the impact of milk quota removal. While I cannot pre-empt the outcome of this important work, the emphasis must be placed on encouraging sustainable production of food in light of the growing global demand, to reduce the carbon intensity of production and to contribute to both food security and greenhouse gas mitigation objectives.

There is also a really important framing of target setting at European level in terms of the targets set for 2030 that needs to involve land use as a whole. The carbon sink value of afforestation is part of the overall agriculture story.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Can the Minister rely on support from various European Union countries in this context? For example, is it possible to identify the countries on which he can most rely for support that might have common cause with Ireland in terms of agricultural food production in general?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The key issue in terms of the 2030 targets is that agricultural land use as a whole be taken into account. Rather than simply measuring the emissions from agricultural production systems, we would also have the benefit of the tree planting programme for which the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Hayes, is responsible, which has been ongoing since 1990 and is quite impressive. We have planted a lot of trees on agricultural land, which essentially are a very valuable carbon sink. That needs to be the plus if we are to get the minuses in terms of the increased mitigation that may come from increasing output. That is what the Taoiseach managed to have agreed at the European Council before Christmas and we now need to protect that aspect of the agreement. There are countries that would like to take afforestation out of the target setting process, which is unhelpful. We have fought against this and ensured that agenda has not been successful to date, but we need to be vigilant and must build a partnership with other countries. Most countries recognise that Ireland has a problem because 40% of our emissions come from agriculture. We are looking for fair treatment and if we have made significant progress in terms of afforestation, as we have, and if it has a significant carbon sink value, of course, that should be part of the calculation of our targets.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Sandra McLellan is not present to take Question No. 7.