Written answers

Thursday, 21 October 2021

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Agriculture Industry

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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372. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the dairy sector here has managed to maintain output in the course of the past twelve months notwithstanding Brexit and Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51916/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Notwithstanding the challenges of the past year, Irish dairy sector exports continue to perform well, despite the global impact to foodservice as a result of COVID-19 and supply chain disruptions resulting from Brexit and COVID-19. 

The Department remains vigilant in monitoring the current market and emerging trends, engaging with the industry on an ongoing basis to maximise opportunities for market growth and diversification.

In 2020 Ireland exported dairy products to approximately 143 countries with a value exceeding €5.1 billion. CSO figures for 2020 indicate a -0.7% volume decline and a 0.4% value increase compared to 2019. In 2020 EU Member States account for 33.7% of the value of Irish dairy exports, while the UK remained our strongest trading partner, accounting for 19.4% of dairy exports by volume.

Latest CSO figures show that dairy exports have decreased -7.8% by value and -16.4% by volume when Jan-Aug 2021 figures are compared to the same period in 2020 which reflects the ongoing challenging market situation. 

The UK continues to be our strongest trading partner into 2021 accounting for 17.4% of total dairy exports by value. The Netherlands is our strongest EU trading partner, accounting for 14.5% of exports.

Domestic milk intake from the Irish dairy herd continued to grow in 2020 with an increase in milk production of +3.8% compared to 2019, with total deliveries of 8.29 billion litres. Irish milk production represented approximately 5% of total EU milk production in 2020. 

In 2021 mild temperatures and abundant rainfall provided good conditions for pastures in producing regions; latest Eurostat figures show that milk deliveries for September 2020 to August 2021 have increased 5.8% when compared to the previous period.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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373. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which Irish beef, lamb and dairy products can get to European and other further afield markets notwithstanding Brexit and Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51918/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am encouraged that the latest trade statistics for 2021 have seen Irish agri-food exports grow in value despite the challenges presented by COVID-19 and Brexit.

For the first seven months of 2021, exports have increased in value terms by €533 million, or 5.8%, on the same period in 2020, and by €199 million, or 2.1%, on the same period in 2019. This is a clear demonstration of the resilience of the Irish beef, lamb and dairy sectors, and of the fact that these products are still reaching markets in the EU and further afield.

It is clear, however, that Brexit presents big challenges for Irish exporters, including in the way the land-bridge across GB to Europe operates. In response to uncertainty about the operation of the landbridge, it has been positive that capacity on the direct shipping routes from Ireland to Europe has increased significantly.  This direct connectivity is vital, and has supported Irish exporters in accessing our key European markets and avoiding the uncertainty of delays and disruption to trade being experienced in GB. 

At a broader level, the Department continues to have a strong focus on developing new trade opportunities for Irish food exporters. This commitment has seen the Government significantly increase funding for Bord Bia in recent budgets, which has been targeted at supporting market growth and diversification efforts in EU and third country markets. 

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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374. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which production, husbandry and processing in the agri-food sector can be modernised to meet the challenges of carbon reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51919/21]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Climate Act that was passed by the Houses during the summer, all sections of the economy will be required to contribute to  an economy wide 51% reduction in greenhouse gas emisions by 2030.

I have been consistent in my views that I want to, at a minimum, maintain agricultural production at current levels while meeting our carbon reduction targets in 2030. This will mean that farm practices will need to evolve and modernise to achieve this objective.

Research and innovation will also play a key role here. The Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (MACC) for greenhouse gas abatement and the Ag Climatise roadmap, which I published last year, set out the sorts of actions farmers will need to take. 

For example, the sector will need to reduce chemical nitrogen fertiliser use, and this can be partly achieved by improving our use of organic manures and moving to clover based and multispecies swards.

Likewise to reduce methane emissions from the beef herd, the sector needs to transition to ensure our animals are finished at an earlier age, and this will require management and husbandry changes. The Teagasc Signpost farm programme will play an important upskilling role over the years ahead.

Agri-food processing falls under a different carbon budget in a different Department, however, it is clear all companies in Ireland will need to modernise to contribute to the economy wide reductions.

Significant progress within the agri-food processing sector has already been made under the company membership of Origin Green, however, further progress over the decade will be required.

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