Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

80. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the discussions he has had with both the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the European Union in relation to the rewetting of farmland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53127/22]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask about the Minister's engagement with the European Commission and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in respect of the rewetting of land. There seems to be some misinformation circulating in that regard. Perhaps the Minister could make a statement on the matter.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. As part of the climate action plan process, I am in regular contact with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with regard to establishing pathways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture and land use sector. Measures to reduce emissions from our organic soils form part of the sectoral commitment and a target of 80,000 ha for reduced management intensity by 2030 of grasslands on drained organic soils was included in the climate action plan 2021 land use targets.

I continue to fund, among other initiatives, two locally led European Innovation Partnership projects on reduced management intensity of farmed peatlands operating in the midlands. These projects have been providing lessons learned to scale up innovative actions and measures into larger agri-environment measures. As a result, organic soil grassland measures are included in the new agri-climate rural environment scheme, ACRES, which recently opened for applications and is due to begin in January.

Separately, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for co-ordinating Ireland’s response to the European Commission’s proposals for a nature restoration law. The proposals set out legally binding targets in the form of a regulation which will have direct effect across a broad range of ecosystem types, both land-based and marine. I continue to engage with my ministerial colleagues in those Departments as this proposed law progresses.

I am aware that farmers and their representatives are concerned about the potential of these proposals but I will work closely with them, as I always have done, to ensure they are fully involved in the discussion and that their voices are fully heard at European level in respect of the proposed regulation.

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. We must ensure balance in respect of any decisions made at European level. We are producing food in an environmentally friendly manner in this country and we must ensure that is at the forefront of any discussions. The deliberations the Departments of the Environment, Climate and Communications and Agriculture, Food and the Marine have with the European Commission must involve a sensible proposal. We must ensure we are not curtailing lands and food production. We must ensure the people of the planet have food that is produced in an environmentally efficient manner.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy's point is well made. It is important that we have balance in the steps we are taking. We must bring down our emissions and reduce our carbon footprint because we have to deal with the climate challenges. Alongside that, we must ensure food security because there are challenges in respect of food production. Food is becoming more difficult to produce in many parts of the world, specifically as a result of the climate issue. We must consider both of those aspects when it comes to any proposals we are considering.