Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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28. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action his Department is taking to meet our EU 2020 targets on greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector, which it is projected we will not meet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26125/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department is acutely aware of the need to identify cost effective abatement options that can reduce carbon emissions while at the same time improving farm profitability. We are currently developing a low carbon agriculture sectoral roadmap under the Heads of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2014 and this roadmap will take into account the targets in the industry’s Food Harvest 2020 strategy as well as existing mitigation commitments. The roadmap will also outline a longer term view and seek to balance the objectives of allowing the food industry to grow so as to meet the food security challenges that face the world as well as the need to meet future climate change ambition.

The Environmental Analysis Report on Food Harvest 2020 found that the adoption and use of high technology and best production methodologies at farm production level will yield the best environmental outcomes and result in the most effective mitigation measures. The new Rural Development Programme (RDP) for the period 2014-2020 is being informed by the findings and recommendations in this report and the ‘Marginal Abatement Cost Curve for Irish Agriculture’ (September 2012 prepared by Teagasc), and will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas.

The measures in the RDP 2014-2020 will be designed to support the smart green growth message of Food Harvest 2020 and thus encompass the themes of technology, efficiency and sustainability. The main elements of the consultation document in terms of proposed measures are:

- a substantial new agri-environment/climate scheme (GLAS), which will build on the progress made under REPS and AEOS;

- incentives for on-farm capital investment, which will incorporate support for investments with clear sustainability benefits;

- knowledge transfer and innovation measures including support for the European Innovation Partnership, which are aimed at underpinning farm viability, sustainability and growth through the adoption of best practice and innovative solutions;

- a new beef data and genomic technology that will have a range of benefits in terms of sustainability, profitability, animal health and welfare, quality assurance, and herd quality;

- other supports aimed at collaborative farming, artisan producers and organic farming.

The Government’s policy position is to seek an approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land-use sector, including forestry, which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production. Teagasc has carried out a recent study entitled ‘Carbon-Neutrality as a Horizon Point for Irish Agriculture’ (December 2013) which aims to address and provide a scientific framework for the challenge posed in seeking an approach to carbon-neutrality in the longer term for agriculture. My Department will continue to work closely with other Departments and agencies in developing the technical capacity necessary to underpin evolution of national climate policy and the development of a definition for carbon neutrality in the agricultural sector.