Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the way her Department's commitments under the National Development Plan will combat climate change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3715/07]

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, i.e. 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 fact, the agriculture and forestry sectors look likely to exceed this target and to achieve a reduction of 12%.

Furthermore it is these sectors that are making the largest contribution to meeting Ireland's commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. An independent assessment in March 2006 found that the total projected annual reduction in emissions would come to 7.95 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Over 56% of this would come as a direct result of policies, measures and actions in the agriculture and forestry sectors — 2.4 million tonnes from agriculture and 2.1 million tonnes from changes in land use from agriculture to forestry.

The decoupling of direct payments from production plays a very significant part in the reduction of methane emissions from agriculture because of the projected fall in livestock numbers. The results of the latest Teagasc National Farm Survey indicate that these numbers will remain at their reduced levels in the medium term.

The environment is central to the agriculture and forestry measures in the National Development Plan. The forestry measures are the principal instrument designed to mitigate climate change, but the new REP Scheme will also include elements that will reduce emissions. Environmental sustainability will also be promoted through agricultural education and training.

My Department closely monitors ongoing research programme both on climate change in Ireland and its likely impact. I am aware that 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. Accordingly, 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.

I am conscious of the commitments made in the National Development Plan to combat climate change and I intend, through my Department's network of local offices, the offices of Teagasc and by providing support to relevant NGOs, to pursue a campaign to increase awareness of, and the need for adaptation to, the impacts of climate change in the agriculture and forestry sectors.