Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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382. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department continues to development the agri-food sector while at the same time ensuring compliance with carbon reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27381/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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On 14th April, I published the Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2024 alongside an Action Plan for 2021, which outlines 75 actions to further develop a sustainable, innovative and competitive agri-food, forestry and seafood sector. The Action Plan will build on significant work already underway by my Department on a range of key issues.

On climate, The Government has recently approved the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021. The Bill will support Ireland’s transition to Net Zero emissions and achievement of a climate neutral economy by 2050. The agricultural sector is already contributing to the national effort to address the climate challenge and will continue to do so. I launched a National ‘Climate & Air Roadmap’ for the Agriculture Sector entitled “Ag Climatise” in December 2020. The roadmap, which is a living document, sets an ambitious vision for a ‘climate neutral agriculture sector by 2050’ and includes 29 actions with specific and challenging targets aimed at reducing the environmental footprint and further building on the strong credentials of Irish agriculture.

The draft agri-food Strategy for 2030 was recently launched for public consultation on the Strategy itself and its environmental assessment. The public consultation is available at the following link: gov.ie - Public Consultation on the Environmental Assessment of the Draft Agri-Food Strategy to 2030. (www.gov.ie), and will remain open until the15th of June. The Committee will take the outcome of the public consultation process into account before finalising the Strategy this summer. The high level vision of the Committee is that, “Ireland will become a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems over the next decade”, taking a food systems approach in ensuring the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the sector a whole.

I am committed to working to improve incomes for our farm families

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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383. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total strength of the dairy herd at present; the extent of opportunities for advancement in the future while at the same time meeting carbon reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27382/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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According to the results of the December 2020 CSO Livestock Survey, the number of dairy cows currently stands at 1.456 million, an increase of 30,300 or +2.1% compared with December 2019 figures.

Despite a challenging macro-economic environment in 2020, Ireland exported dairy products to approximately 143 countries with a value exceeding €5.1 billion, a 0.4% value increase compared to the same period in 2019. The European Commission’s Short-term Outlook for EU agricultural markets for 2021 forecasts a c. +4% increase in milk production in Ireland due to the increased national dairy herd, the largest expected growth amongst key milk producing EU Member States. In 2021 global dairy demand growth is expected to exceed supply and therefore Ireland is well-positioned to benefit from this increasing global demand. It is important to note, however that while milk production in Ireland has approximately 54% since the removal of milk quotas in 2015, the rate of increase has reduced in recent years.

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 supports Ireland’s transition to Net Zero and achieve a climate neutral economy no later than 2050. It will establish a legally binding framework to ensure that we achieve our national, EU and international climate goals and obligations.

Ag Climatise, the National Climate and Air Roadmap for the Agriculture Sector published by my Department, is a living document which sets out 29 actions designed to achieve a climate neutral agriculture sector and reflects the ambitions of the Bill. Industry stakeholders and Government will need to work collaboratively and constructively to ensure that these outlined objectives are achieved by the future dairy sector. In addition, I am confident that the strategic framework set out in the draft Agri Food Strategy for 2030, which is currently published for public consultation, sets out an effective pathway to deal with these challenges, while establishing Ireland as a world leader in sustainable food systems.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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384. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if cognisance was taken of the extent to which the agri-food sector here has always been more compliant with carbon reduction objectives than most others; the way the policy will be incorporated in the future without damaging the agri-food sector while meeting targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27384/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Government has recently approved the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021. The Bill will support Ireland’s transition to Net Zero emissions and achievement of a climate neutral economy by 2050. The agricultural sector is already contributing to the national effort to address the climate challenge and will continue to do so.

Being grass-based, Ireland’s production system is considered carbon efficient and therefore one of the most sustainable places in the world to produce high quality lamb, beef and dairy.

In December 2020, I launched “Ag-Climatise”, a new climate and air road map for agriculture. This roadmap, which is a living document, provides the sector with the overall direction necessary to allow coordination of the application of measures and initiatives that will enhance the removals of both GHG emissions from our production systems and CO2 from our atmosphere.

This week, at the launch of the Teagasc "SignPost" programme on climate action, involving 100 demonstration farms across the country, I highlighted that agriculture has a critically important social, economic and environmental value to Ireland and that as a sector, farming has a history of embracing change and a shared desire to leave the farmed environment in a better condition for the next generation.

I am acutely aware of the enormity of this challenge for the sector and for this reason, I believe that the successor strategy to Food Wise 2025 can play an important role in providing a framework for helping to realise this ambition.

The draft agri-food Strategy for 2030 was recently launched for public consultation on the Strategy itself and its environmental assessment. The public consultation is available at the following link: gov.ie - Public Consultation on the Environmental Assessment of the Draft Agri-Food Strategy to 2030. (www.gov.ie), and will remain open until the 15th of June. The Committee will take the outcome of the public consultation process into account before finalising the Strategy this summer. The high level vision of the Committee is that, “Ireland will become a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems over the next decade”, taking a food systems approach in ensuring the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the sector a whole. Its environmental ambition is aligned with the Government target of net zero by 2050.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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385. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current strength of the beef herd; the extent to which he is satisfied in regard to its future and the attainment of international carbon reduction targets thereby achieving a fair and equitable coexistence and maintenance of employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27385/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The figures for 2020 show that the total cattle numbers decreased by (-0.5%) compared to 2019.

The number of other cows dropped by 3.6%, while the number of dairy cows increased by 2.1%.

More detailed data from the CSO's June and December Livestock Surveys each year is available at the following link:

Given the challenging macro-economic environment in 2020, Ireland's beef exports declined by 2% to €1.9 billion in value terms. The short term EU forecast for 2021 is for a continued drop in both European production (minus 1.5%) and consumption (minus 1.2%).As with other meat commodities, my officials continue to work towards opening new international markets and enhancing existing access to as many markets as possible. This development and diversification strategy remains central to our response to the challenges and uncertainty posed by Brexit.

The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021 supports Ireland’s transition to Net Zero and achieve a climate neutral economy no later than 2050.

Ag Climatise, the National Climate and Air Roadmap for the Agriculture Sector published by my Department last December, is a living document which sets out 29 actions designed to achieve a climate neutral agriculture sector.

In addition, I am confident that the strategic framework set out in the draft Agri Food Strategy for 2030, which is currently published for public consultation, sets out an effective pathway to deal with these challenges, while establishing Ireland as a world leader in sustainable food systems.

Supporting the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the Irish agri-food sector will underpin the development of my Department's supports under the next Common Agricultural Policy.

Ultimately, I want to ensure that, as a priority, we protect the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the agri-food sector, and particularly farmers and fishers as our primary producers.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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386. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which pig production is encouraged to continue on a sound footing with particular reference to its future and a living for pig producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27386/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The pig sector has shown exceptional growth over the last decade. It is the third largest agri-food sector, accounting for 6.3% of the output value of the agri-food sector and generated exports of €893 million in 2020; this compares to an export value of €330 million in 2010. The sector supports approximately 8,000 rural jobs and has played a key role in meeting our Food Wise 2025 targets.

Production saw an increase of 4.2% to over 3.5 million head in 2020 and currently year to date 2021 slaughter figures are 6.3% higher than the same period of 2020 (1.3 million). Exports trends are also shifting in light of Brexit, with exports to third country markets steadily expanding in recent years, accounting for almost 35% of total value.

Coming into 2021, prices were significantly lower when compared to same period in 2020, when prices were at a historical high. Nonetheless, Irish pig price has seen growth since the beginning of the year from 155.36 €/100kg in week 1 to 164.82.12 €/100kg in week 18 (6.1%) - well above the EU average price of 154.45 €/100kg (EU price as of week 17).

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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387. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which opportunities continue for the export of Irish lamb; the degree to which prospects remain good for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27387/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The future prospects for Irish sheepmeat exports, of which lamb is a core product, appear bright. According to the CSO, 2020 was a prosperous year for Ireland's overseas sheepmeat trade, with 64,000 tonnes exported to 38 international markets at a value of nearly €356 million. This represents an increase of 12% in value terms on 2019. Tighter supplies of sheepmeat globally and an improvement in demand in key EU markets drove this increase. A decline in UK sheepmeat exports to EU member state markets also created opportunities for Irish produce during 2020.

Of the four major meat species exported from Ireland, the sheepmeat trade is the least reliant on the UK market. Bord Bia analysis suggests that retail demand for sheepmeat increased over the last year, as consumers invested more time in preparing home-cooked meals. In 2020, according to CSO data, 73% of sheepmeat products in value terms were exported to the EU, 12% to the UK and 15% to other third country markets. The value of sheepmeat exports to international markets increased significantly in 2020, but France remains the single most important export destination, accounting for a third of Irish sheepmeat exports in 2020.

As with other meat commodities, my officials continue to work towards opening new outlets for sheepmeat and enhancing existing access to as many markets as possible for Irish sheepmeat. The Irish food industry is well positioned to gain from the opportunities presented by expanding global demand for high-quality Irish lamb, underpinned by the market development efforts of the Department, Bord Bia, the Irish embassy network, and the food industry. The Department will continue to engage with stakeholders on maximising potential opportunities for Irish sheepmeat exports.