Written answers

Tuesday, 6 November 2007

Department of Agriculture and Food

Horticulture Industry

9:00 pm

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if she has plans to encourage the growth of new crops such as grass, soybean and grapes for winemaking in view of the fact that many of the staple fruit and vegetable crops here are under threat due to the warming climate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27073/07]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department monitors ongoing research on climate change and its likely impact on Irish Agriculture. It is represented on the inter-Departmental team established to oversee implementation of the National Climate Change Strategy.

There is no evidence to suggest that there is any major threat to our staple fruit and vegetable crops here due to the warming climate at this time. Indeed the impact on horticulture crops generally is likely to be positive in the short to medium term.

There are no plans to encourage the growth of new crops such as grasses, soyabeans or grapes. However, research is ongoing to identify possible new crops and varieties of existing crops which might be suited to drier and warmer conditions.

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