Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 145: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her Department's input into the revised National Climate Change Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3714/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department is represented on the inter-Departmental team established to oversee implementation of the National Climate Change Strategy and is taking an active part in the current review of the Strategy. My Department has identified, for consideration by stakeholders, a range of potential greenhouse gas reduction measures in the agriculture area. These potential measures include the promotion of low-emission slurry application technology, 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 continue to be the most significant 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.

Along with the other Departments on the interdepartmental climate change team, my Department is considering the stakeholder submissions received as part of the public consultation process.