Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her Department has analysed the impact of climate change on agriculture here; the action she intends to take on the basis of available information to support Irish agriculture through this change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32918/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Climate change has serious implications not just for agriculture but for all sectors of the economy. The Government is committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Kyoto Protocol and the National Climate Change Strategy published in 2000 sets the framework for Ireland to achieve its targets under the protocol, that is, to limit greenhouse gas emissions to 13% above 1990 levels over the commitment period of 2008-2012. The target set for agriculture to reduce emissions is 10% below the projected "business as usual" levels for 2010.

In reaching this target the decoupling of direct payments from production is significant, as it is expected to lead to a fall in livestock numbers, which will lead to a reduction in methane emissions. This development has already been facilitated by a number of initiatives prior to decoupling such as the Extensification Premium, the change in the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme from an animal to an area basis and stock restrictions linked to Commonage Framework Plans.

The improved management of organic manures and reduced usage of chemical fertilizers are other necessary contributors to greenhouse gas reduction and they continue to be encouraged by increasing participation rates in REPS. The introduction of the Nitrates Regulations this year will further assist the process and our growing forestry sector has a significant role to play in terms of carbon sequestration.

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 by the EPA.

A review of the National Climate Change Strategy is currently under way and as part of the inter-Departmental team established to oversee implementation of the Strategy, my Department is contributing in a substantial way to the review. 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 forestry development.

As regards the likely impact of changes to climate on Irish agriculture, I am aware that both increased precipitation and water shortages are major issues for agriculture worldwide and it has been suggested that such changes in our own climate may have both positive and negative long-term effects on Irish agriculture. My Department is aware of and monitors the ongoing research programme on climate change in Ireland and its likely impact. We will continue to monitor this research closely so as to identify what areas of agriculture are vulnerable to climate change and how farming systems are likely to be adapted in response.