Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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649. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in view of the plans in Food Harvest 2025 to expand food output, in particular in the dairy sector, and the findings of the recent RDS and IIEA report (details supplied), his Department examined recent scientific advances in the area of methane emissions reductions in the herd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34998/16]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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There is a whole of Government approach to climate policy as set out in the National Climate Policy Position. Officials from my Department work very closely with other Departments and in particular, with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment which is the lead in this area.

The IIEA report is a valuable contribution to the research and will help to inform a coherent and cost-effective policy to meet the twin challenges of sustainable food production and climate change in the agriculture and land use sector. The policy is based on an approach to carbon neutrality in the agriculture and land-use sector, including forestry, which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production.

Through the deployment of innovative and efficient practices at farm level, combined with the application of emerging scientific knowledge, Ireland can take the necessary steps towards addressing the challenge of greenhouse gas emissions, including methane, in the Irish agriculture sector. In the Rural Development Programme, there are some 38,000 farmers taking part in the Green Low carbon Agri-environment Scheme (GLAS) and 24,000 herds are in the Beef Data Genomics Programme, which is a world-leading initiative to improve the quality of breeding of our beef cattle.

Under the 2015 Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act, a National Mitigation Plan is being prepared. This work is overseen by Government through a hierarchy of committees and sub-groups, with independent advice from the Climate Change Advisory Council. 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.

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.

My Department continues to invest in and engage with research initiatives to further assist with the refinement, development and deployment of new and innovative practices to reduce GHGs that are associated with agricultural production.