John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will qualify for a new milk quota following receipt of their green certificate in February 2010; and the criteria for securing a milk quota. [44766/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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A person intending to acquire milk quota as a new entrant under the Milk Quota Trading Scheme must satisfy a number of eligibility criteria. These include having the necessary educational qualifications, having previously held no quota, and having their own lands, herd number and separate milking facilities. The detailed rules governing the scheme are available from my Department (including on its website) and from participating Co-ops. The first stage of the 2010/2011 Scheme will be completed shortly and a second stage will be implemented in the spring.

The same criteria, together with the requirement to submit a business plan, applied to successful applicants to the recently completed New Entrants Scheme. This scheme is currently being reviewed with a view to deciding whether to implement a similar scheme in 2010. ^^ Greenhouse Gas Emissions. ^^

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps taken to reduce CO2 emissions within the agricultural sector; if reductions will be achieved without compromising production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44941/09]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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In 1990, greenhouse gas emissions from Ireland's agriculture sector amounted to 19.9 million tonnes CO2 equivalent. By 2007, this amount had been reduced, by 6.5%, to 18.6 million tones. This reduction was achieved despite a marginal increase in livestock activity in that period. The most recent EPA projections indicate that emissions from the sector will be reduced further, to an average of 18.2 million tonnes per annum for the Kyoto period 2008 – 2012, a reduction of 8.5% compared to 1990 emissions levels. Even in its "best case" scenario, the EPA projections show that, apart from a reduction of 0.3 million tonnes in the residential sector, Ireland's agriculture sector will be the only sector of the economy to deliver emissions reductions in the Kyoto period.

To assist the Government in identifying the most appropriate means of achieving emissions reductions in the non-trading sector of the economy (which includes emissions from primary agriculture) the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security is examining the emissions reduction potential of the entire non-trading sector and will report to Government on the optimum alternatives to achieve our national emissions reduction commitments.

While I recognise that achieving further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture sector presents a major challenge, I believe that the sector will continue to play its part in both reducing emissions and adapting to the impacts of, what seems now to be, the unavoidable changes to our climate. Accordingly, my Department will, where possible, continue to take measures designed to the reduce greenhouse gas emissions and that increase renewable energy option. In that context, my Department will continue to examine various abatement options in close liaison with Teagasc.

Under my Department's Research Stimulus Fund there has been a significant commitment, of €15.5 million, to climate change research projects since 2005. This includes research into such areas as more efficient slurry application, increased use of clover, which would reduce nitrogen usage, non-inversion tillage and increasing the length of the grazing season.