Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her Department has contributed to the review of the climate change strategy; the form and content of her input; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32917/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is represented on the inter-Departmental teams established to oversee implementation of the National Climate Change Strategy and in this context, is contributing in a substantial way to the review of the Strategy which is currently under way. We have identified a range of potential greenhouse gas reduction measures in the agriculture area for consideration in the review. These include improved slurry spreading techniques, support for bio-energy crops, alternative carbon neutral fuel sources, deployment of renewable energy technologies at farm level, improved manure management through the use of new and emerging technologies, optimisation of nitrogen use, minimum tillage systems and the development of forestry. Decoupling of support for agriculture under the Single Payment Scheme will also be a contributory factor in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural sources.

My Department is funding various research projects to assist in identifying sustainable greenhouse gas emission reduction measures. Amongst these are studies focused on reducing methane emissions in ruminants and an examination of nitrous oxide emissions from grasslands. These are in addition to agricultural-related research managed by the EPA.

In the coming weeks, my Department along with the other Departments on the interdepartmental climate change team will be considering the stakeholder submissions received as part of the public consultation process on the review of Ireland's National Climate Change Strategy, which closed on 30 September. The Government intends to publish a revised National Climate Change Strategy before the end of 2006.