Written answers

Wednesday, 30 May 2018

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Citizens Assembly

Photo of Mick WallaceMick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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81. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the recommendations contained in the Citizens' Assembly final report on how the State can make Ireland a leader in tackling climate change; if the recommendations that refer to the agriculture sector will be included in the forthcoming sectoral mitigation plan for agriculture in particular that there should be a tax on greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23731/18]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Citizens’ Assembly Report on how to make Ireland a leader in tackling climate change and note in particular suggestions in relation to the agriculture sector. I look forward to the Oireachtas debate on this matter.

I was pleased to see that the agriculture recommendations are generally consistent with our approach to agri-policy.  The recommendations include rewarding farmers for good environmental practices, which is consistent with the objectives of our Rural Development Programme. Two other areas recommended for support include organic farming and planting forests both of which are being supported by my Department.

Regarding the specific proposal of a tax on greenhouse gas emissions from Agriculture, the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) is conducting research into a global economic evaluation of greenhouse gas mitigation policies, including mitigation subsidies and taxes. Preliminary findings suggest that mitigation subsidies strike the best balance between unlocking the mitigation potential of agriculture and limiting the negative impacts on competitiveness and food security.

This work is expected to be published in the autumn and will form another key part of our consideration of the optimum policy options available to mitigating agriculture’s impact on climate change. 

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