Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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44. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of manure systems that are dry systems and liquid systems, respectively; the percentage of agricultural manure handled in anaerobic digesters, anaerobic lagoons and liquid or slurry systems, respectively; the nitrous oxide emissions from manure management in the past ten years for which there are figures available; the nitrous oxide emissions in the past ten years for which there are figures available; the methane emissions from enteric fermentation in the past ten years for which there are figures available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47095/17]

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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The Minister has repeatedly told me that the agriculture sector will move towards an approach to carbon neutrality which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production. We are still waiting for a definition of carbon neutrality, yet emissions from the agriculture sector are rising year on year, in accordance with the policy set out in the Food Wise 2025 plan. This question relates to the measures in place to deal with the extra manure produced. It asks if the Minister is keeping track of the worsening situation in terms of the effect the Department's policy is having on the atmosphere and climate change globally.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy's question is predicated on emissions rising year on year and that is simply not the case. Between 1990 and 2015 greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector reduced by 5.5%. It is important that the facts are correct.

Approximately 80% of all stored cattle manure in Ireland is produced as slurry, the remaining portion being a solid fraction or farmyard manure. For the majority of the country, the approximate storage period is 16 to 18 weeks. Virtually all pig manure is produced as slurry, while all poultry manure is of a solid or semi-solid composition. The quantities of livestock manures from farm holdings currently processed by way of treatment facilities such as anaerobic digestion, AD, is insignificant. This is influenced by the predominance of grazing systems and it not being cost effective to mobilise for the scale of commercial AD plants.

Methane accounts for approximately 22% of Ireland's greenhouse gas, GHG, emissions, of which approximately 12% of methane emissions in agriculture result from the storage and management of animal manures.

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Current research into reducing methane emissions is primarily focused on reducing emissions per unit product, that is to say, reducing emissions intensity. This research is primarily focused on improving productivity per animal and thus decoupling animal numbers from production. Most of this research is focused on developing economic breeding indices, extension of the grazing season, reducing beef finishing times and reducing total methane per animal as well as optimising beef and dairy animals. Many of these measures are currently in use or being commenced.

Currently the Environmental Protection Agency is funding a desk study to review our country-specific emissions factors and other parameters relevant to the estimation of methane emissions from livestock enteric fermentation and manure management. The purpose is to determine what changes are required to ensure improvements in farm efficiency that will mitigate methane captured in the livestock and manure methane sections of the inventory.

Carbon audits by our food agency, Bord Bia, are placing new emphasis on reduction in emissions intensity of beef and dairy produce. According to the Ireland's national inventory report published by the EPA in April 2017, methane is the second-most significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland. In 2015, emissions of methane decreased 10.4% on the 1990 level having increased progressively from 1990 to a peak in 1998.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

The national inventory report also stated that nitrous oxide emissions decreased by 16% from the 1990 level to 2015. Similar to methane, emissions of nitrous oxide increased during the 1990s to reach peak level in 1998, reflecting increased use of synthetic fertilisers and increased amounts of animal manures associated with increasing animal numbers during that period. Emissions of nitrous oxide subsequently show a clear downward trend following reductions in synthetic fertiliser use and organic nitrogen applications on land as a result of the effect of the CAP reform on animal numbers.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Our information contradicts the Minister's information. We have seen that methane produced per head of cattle shows that global livestock emissions in 2011 were 11% higher than estimates based on data from the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Therefore, the figures the Department has been working with need to be revised. At the very least, more robust containment and processing measures for manure need to be put in place. We know that, on a weight basis, manure in dry systems produces significantly less methane than in liquid systems. We also know that manure handled in anaerobic digesters has a dramatically lower methane conversion factor than that of the outdoor open slurry pit.

The Minister often talks of the dairy and beef industries being clean here. In fact, they are the most climate-destructive forms of food production. We need to pursue best practice around areas such as the management of the increase in manure management and connected emissions sources.

I note that in 2014 there were six anaerobic digestion plants in the Republic of Ireland and 26 in Northern Ireland. Can the Minister tell me how many are in the Republic of Ireland today? There are now 42 in Northern Ireland and those responsible secured approval for a further 103. Is Northern Ireland moving ahead of us in this regard? Does the Minister have number for the Republic of Ireland in 2017?

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Wallace has guaranteed himself a headline, but I do not believe it is based on any kind of fact. It is extraordinary of him to say our dairy and beef is the most climate-destructive form of food production. We are having a dialogue of the deaf. In terms of the carbon footprint per kilo of output our dairy industry is the most efficient in the world and our beef is the fifth most efficient. Whether we are fifth, sixth or first, we all acknowledge that in the dairy and beef sectors we must do far more. The industry is up for it. However, we are seeking a fair crack of the whip in terms of the public debate.

Let us consider the efforts farmers are making. Deputy Wallace comes from a farming constituency. Farmers there are leading the way in terms of their embrace of new technologies and ideas, especially carbon footprint measuring on farms. We are extraordinarily efficient in this regard. The post-dairy quota era has proven that we have broken the link between increased output and increasing greenhouse gas production. Since 2015 we have increased our dairy production by 13.2% but our greenhouse gas emissions have only gone up by 1.6%. This is significant in that we are breaking the link between increased production and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

We need to continue that direction of travel. There is real goodwill and willingness on the part of the agricultural community to play its part. It is a progressive industry that has young people who are keen to have a career and do the right thing. However, they deserve a fair crack at the whip for their efforts.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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I am very interested in agriculture. It is the best industry in the country. I want those involved to be more focused on the issues and challenges of climate change.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Wallace is taking cheap pot shots.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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I do not make cheap pot shots. I will not get any headlines for this - the Minister need not worry about that – and I am not even looking for them. The Minister did not answer my question on anaerobic digestion plants. Is it possible that there are more in the Six Counties than in the Twenty-six Counties? Why is that the case? Why are we not doing more in that area?

Since 2002, on a euro per inhabitant basis Ireland has had the highest level of spending on research and development in the agriculture sector compared to any other country in the EU 28.

I raised a question about research showing that adding 2% dried seaweed to the cow diet could make cattle healthier, more fertile and reduce methane emission by a considerable proportion. The Minister stated that the Department continues to invest and engage with research initiatives in this area. However, in September I put in a freedom of information request to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, the EPA and Bord Bia about research in this area. They had nothing in this area.

Are we not looking at seaweed? If not, why not? Is the research wrong? Am I wrong on the seaweed issue?

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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We are funding a good deal of research in this area. Our research partners, including Teagasc, are liaising with third level institutes and private industry. We are looking at international developments.

Deputy Wallace referenced seafood. We have watched so many false dawns and apparent silver bullets. We do not believe there is a silver bullet but we are certainly tracking research. I have not seen anything to convince me that seaweed in the diet is going to change methane production by cattle overnight.

Deputy Wallace's argument seems to be predicated on the basis that we should close down the competitive sustainable advantage we have in a grass-based production system in our dairy and beef sectors.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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That is not true. That is not what I said.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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If we were to do that, what would happen?

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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I did not say that.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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This is not a dialogue.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Beef producers with carbon footprints many multiples of ours would steamboat here from South America and displace our produce. Deputy Wallace would stand idly by and applaud as our beef farmers go out of business.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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The Minister is misrepresenting my position.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Wallace said that our dairy and beef were the most destructive forms of food production.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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You are using up the time of other Members.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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I was referring to all dairy and beef production, not only ours.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Do not be argumentative.