Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House and join others in acknowledging the significant communications campaign he undertook. It was unusual in that the Minister took the time to tour marts, when he could and when it was safe to do so. I attended two marts and to see the Minister in the ring, not selling animals but selling policies, was really good. It was a real hands-on approach to engagement and it was appreciated. Those who know about cattle dealing and cattle marts are the heart of politics, agricultural language and discussion. Many people go to the marts, not necessarily to sell but to meet their colleagues and friends, have a bowl of soup or a sandwich, do business and trade. They barter and exchange politics and agriculture there. The mart is really important and I want to acknowledge that.

I looked at the climate action plan for 2021 which contains 41 designated actions, as outlined in section 16.4. There are actions related to the marine and forestry which I do not intend to go into in any great detail. I want to spend some time talking about organic farming and organic horticulture. Farmers know that agriculture and climate change are inextricably linked. Indeed, they are inseparable. Farmers have ambitions not just to produce food but to do it in a sustainable, productive and, dare I say it, profitable manner, and why not? They need the full support of Government and Government agencies in achieving these clear objectives.

A just transition is not an optional or extra policy but a legally binding obligation resulting from Ireland's commitment to tackling climate change. That has to be pointed out and we must face up to it. Climate justice is an ethical and political issue, not just an environmental one, and we need to emphasise that as part of our discussions today. Farmers need substantial financial support for transition too. This is important in the context of sustainable eco-schemes and funding for same. Farmers need funding, incentives, encouragement and support for the transition. There are many changes and new ways of doing business in agriculture and horticulture with which farmers need assistance and support. I ask the Minister to share with us further details on the schemes and incentives he is proactively developing. Supporting and incentivising farmers to move to more sustainable methods is inextricably linked to a just transition. We must leave no individuals, communities, economies, sectors or regions behind as we seek a transition to a low-carbon future and address climate change.

Last year, Organic Growers Ireland appeared before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. That organisation's primary role is to present the needs and views of organic growers and farmers, support the effective and dynamic promotion of organic produce, identify training needs, improve access to technical information on organic horticulture and agriculture and, most importantly, encourage new entrants into organic horticulture and agriculture. The organisation has called for an organic farming internship programme to be developed, expanded, supported and resourced, and I support that call. It has also called for greater research into organic crop production and additional advisory services. This is an area that has been left lagging behind. Ireland has a clean, green image, yet it has the second lowest level of organic farmland production in the European Union. What does that say about us? We have an image that is both clean and green but our organic production is the second lowest in the EU. We must do better. We must think bigger and support organic farmers.

I draw the Minister's attention to a number of key objectives in the 2021 climate action plan. One is to promote an increase in legume crops in the agricultural system, while another is to increase the current area under organic production from 74,000 ha to 350,000 ha by 2030. That will require a lot of work. Another key objective is to build up our organic research capacity. One further key objective is to double the supply of biomass which is very important in the context of fuel supplies.

I thank the Minister for coming to the House today and ask him to place an emphasis on organic horticulture and agriculture in the months ahead. We must support people in this transition and always remember that it is a just transition. It is an economic, social and environmental transition and that is the key message that we must continue to drive home.