Written answers

Wednesday, 18 February 2015

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Climate Change Policy

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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88. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to set out the extent to which he expects to be in a position to reduce carbon emissions throughout the agri-food and fishing industries without damage to the sectors and keeping in mind the future development needs of both industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7247/15]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department is aware of the need to identify cost effective abatement measures that can reduce carbon emissions while at the same time improve farm profitability. The Food Harvest 2020Environmental Analysis Reportfound 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 draft Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020has been informed by the findings and recommendations in the above mentioned report and the 'Marginal Abatement Cost Curve for Irish Agriculture' (September 2012 prepared by Teagasc), which identified a number of measures for the abatement of greenhouse gases.

The draft RDP 2014-2020 has been designed to support the smart green growth message of Food Harvest 2020and encompasses the themes of technology, efficiency and sustainability. The main elements of the programme include:

- 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 genomics programme will have a range of benefits in terms of sustainability, profitability, animal health and welfare, quality assurance, and herd quality; and

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

My Department chairs an Agriculture Climate Change Committee, under the auspices of the Food Harvest High Level Implementation Committeewhich undertakes work on important and urgent issues in the development of national and EU policy on agriculture and climate change. The Committee comprises representatives of Teagasc, Bord Bia and the Environmental Protection Agency, and has helped to inform the development of A discussion document on the potential for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) mitigation within the Agriculture and Forestry sector.This document is currently open for public consultation and submissions received will be considered by my Department in the formation of the agriculture and forestry sector mitigation plan.

My Department is also preparing a sectoral adaptation plan which will also be open to public consultation.

Under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill 2015, which was published in January, National Mitigation and Adaptation Plans are to be developed. The sectoral adaptation and mitigation plans will form an important part of this work. The plans will specify the policy measures to be undertaken for both mitigation and adaption and will be fundamental pillars of future national policy.

In addition, my Department is currently preparing a national strategy for the agri-food sector up to 2025 which will outline the key actions required to ensure that the agri-food sector (primary agriculture, the food and beverage industry, fisheries and fish processing, forestry and forestry processing) maximises its contribution to overall economic growth, job creation and environmental sustainability over the coming decade and builds upon the progress achieved under Food Harvest 2020. This Strategy, like its predecessor, will be developed by a Committee of leading figures from the agri-food sector.

Independent consultants are being engaged to carry out a full Environmental Assessment of the 2025 strategy to include both a SEA and AA, which when completed will inform future policy development.

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