Dáil debates

Thursday, 26 May 2022

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Climate Change Policy

11:10 am

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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123. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the measures being taken by his Department to assist farmers in contributing to the national effort to reduce climate-based emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26636/22]

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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This question relates to the role farmers can play in reducing climate-based emissions. What supports is the Department making available to help them in this regard? Farmers are often demonised but they really want to play their part and are anxious to do so. They need help, support and guidance in that.

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for his question. As he is aware, the agriculture sector is required to reduce emissions by between 22% to 30% by 2030, based on a 2018 baseline of 23 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent. This is a challenging target for the sector, but it is one that also will present opportunities for farmers. Our farm families are committed to taking a leadership role in meeting our overall climate ambitions and have shown their willingness to do so. Indeed, it is as much in the interest of farmers as anyone else to do so, if not more so, because no sector of the economy will be more exposed to climate change in the years ahead than agriculture, given our dependence on the weather to be able to produce food. There will be an even bigger challenge in this regard in other parts of the world that are also facing serious difficulties.

The Teagasc marginal abatement cost curve was the original source of information on how to move forward and it has been built upon by both the Ag Climatise roadmap and the climate action plan of 2021.

I recently established a Food Vision 2030 dairy group to set out specific actions on how emissions reduction in the dairy sector will be achieved. A beef and sheep subgroup with a similar objective will soon be established under the chairmanship of Professor Thia Hennessy.

The advisory services both within Teagasc and the private farming consulting network are working closely with farmers to advise them of the transition necessary on their farms. Teagasc has established a network of model farms under its signpost programme. These farms are considered best in class when it comes to climate-smart agriculture, supporting peer-to-peer learning between farmers.

One of the most important actions farmers can take is to reduce their dependence on chemical nitrogen. I have put in place additional supports this year to encourage farmers to transition to clover and multispecies swards. There is real potential in that and I think we will see a significant movement towards that in the years ahead. This year has brought home the importance of insulating ourselves from the cost challenges of chemical fertiliser while also reducing emissions and enhancing sustainability at farm level.

11:20 am

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his response. I wish to raise two issues. I ask him to comment on the Meth-Abate project whereby methane is set to be reduced by the addition of seaweed additives. I ask him for his views on its effectiveness and potential. What is his Department doing to support research in this area?

The last time we were here, I spoke about the targeted agricultural modernisation scheme, TAMS, grant. It is not possible for farmers who use TAMS money to put up solar panels to sell the electricity back to the grid. If I recall correctly, I think the Minister agreed that this was an anomaly that needed to be looked at. Has any progress been made in this area? Would the Minister agree that if this were changed it would encourage more farmers to install more solar panels on their sheds and generate electricity, thereby indirectly reducing emissions? I also ask the Minister to talk about the planning restrictions preventing farmers from putting solar panels on sheds.

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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There is great potential for the use of feed additives to reduce methane. Seaweed is one of the options that can deliver on that. Other products are also coming on the market. Teagasc has carried out tests to assess how that would work in an Irish situation. The assessment suggests it can deliver a reduction of approximately 30% in methane, which is quite exciting and offers considerable potential. However, we would need to verify that. Following the research, we will be looking to utilise that and maximise the capacity to deliver.

Under the Common Agricultural Policy, TAMS-funded solar-generated power can only be for own-farm use. My team is engaging with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications regarding its new feed-in tariff to ensure we have the supports in place so that it joins up. We want to encourage the great potential farmers have to contribute to energy production and be rewarded for that. We are continuing to work to prepare a package on that.

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for that. I understand in some instances methane reductions of 67% have been observed. The Minister is right in what he is saying and I encourage his Department to move on that one.

I again ask the Minister to comment on the planning restrictions with respect to solar panels on farm buildings. In some countries such restrictions do not exist and people can simply install solar panels on buildings and they also get paid for the electricity that comes back on to the grid.

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I know the Deputy has been advocating for farmers to maximise the potential to produce energy in the years ahead as has the Government. Regarding the joined-up thinking that will be required to drive progress on this, we are engaged on a cross-Department basis to ensure the systems talk to one another so that it ultimately works at farm level. We need to support farmers to put the infrastructure in place. We need to ensure the planning capacity is there so that it can be done easily in practical ways. There should be rewards for farmers so that they can be paid for it. There is great potential for this and we are engaging to ensure it happens. We will see significant progress on it in the next year.