Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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148. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he is taking regarding the likely increase in methane emissions due to the expanding beef and dairy herds. [32497/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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As part of the Whole of Government approach to climate policy, officials from my Department are working closely with other Departments and in particular, with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment as the lead in this area.  We continue to seek an appropriate and consistent policy on climate and agriculture policy that is guided by an approach to carbon neutrality that does not compromise our capacity for food production. This work is overseen by Government through a hierarchy of committees and sub-groups, with independent advice from the Climate Change Advisory Council, as appropriate.  These committees and groups include the Cabinet Committee and Senior Officials' Group on Infrastructure, Environment and Climate Action, a Technical Research and Modelling Group and a Domestic Climate Finance Group. 

Under the 2015 Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, a National Mitigation Plan is being prepared.  Food Wise 2025 – the strategic plan for the sustainable development of agri-food sector over the next decade - provides a framework for the agri sector to engage with the national mitigation plan. Food Wise builds on its predecessor and focuses on the continued growth in the value of Irish agri-food including dairy production. While this is likely to mean some increase in dairy numbers, it is not expected that there will be a significant increase in overall cattle numbers.

There is a strong commitment in Food Wise 2025 to measure and monitor the sustainability credentials of the sector. As part of the implementation of Food Wise, an Environmental Sustainability Committee has been established. This implementation process will include evaluation and assessment of the delivery of sustainability and mitigation actions.

In addition, my Department will continue to engage with research initiatives to further assist with the refinement, development and deployment of new and innovative practices to further reduce GHGs that are associated with agricultural production.