Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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56. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has made or will make revisions to its policies in regard to the management of methane emissions from enteric fermentation and manure management in view of a recent study (details supplied) in which revised calculations of methane produced per head of cattle show that global livestock emissions in 2011 were 11% higher than estimates based on data from the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47094/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the report the deputy is referring to, however, I note that the report states that regarding livestock methane emissions there is notable variability among regions and sources.  The Report found that total livestock methane emissions have increased the most in rapidly developing regions of Asia, Latin America and Africa. In contrast, emissions decreased slightly in Western Europe.

In Ireland, methane accounts for approximately 22% of our national GHG emissions and is based on nationally appropriate emissions factors and robust national animal census figures. 

As the deputy will be aware, 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 department in this area.

The long-term ambition for the Irish agriculture and land use sector is an approach to carbon neutrality which does not compromise capacity for sustainable food production. The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015 provides a statutory basis for Government policy on climate change. As required by the Act, a National Mitigation Plan (NMP) was published in July and includes key sectoral mitigation measures for the agriculture, forest and land use sector.

Irish agricultural production is recognised by international independent analysis as having one of the lowest carbon-footprints within the EU.  

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre Report of 2010 also recognised with regards to dairy systems in Europe, intensive systems create less methane and nitrous oxide emissions than extensive ones, but this is countered by higher emissions from land use and land use change. Lowest emissions are created by extensive grassland systems, such as those in Ireland. The FAO has also recognised the efficiency of our temperate grassland based production system.

A range of actions are being undertaken to make Irish farming even more environmentally sustainable, including measures under the Rural Development Programme (RDP), which is worth almost €4 billion over 7 years. The Programme is strongly targeted towards environmental benefits, including knowledge transfer programmes, which will bring the latest innovative sustainability research and practices direct to farmers.

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. Future policy interventions will be based on the outcome of such well-informed scientific research.