Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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384. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he continues to take to ensure that full credit is given to food producers in Ireland for their ability to produce dairy and beef products at an exceptionally low level of carbon emissions; the extent to which this continues to be recognised internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51929/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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While Ireland is internationally recognised as having one of the most carbon efficient systems of dairy and beef production in the EU, there is huge variability in carbon efficiency within the country. The Teagasc Sustainability Survey shows that the top performing third of farms emitted, on average, 9.6 kg CO2 equivalent per kg beef, compared with 14.9 kg for the bottom performing third of cattle farms. Reducing this variability is a real opportunity to make progress in reducing emissions from cattle production in Ireland with positive economic dividend on the farms concerned. Schemes such as the Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) and Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme-Sucklers (BEEP-S) are focused on improving the carbon efficiency of the beef herd.

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 recently publishedFood Vision 2030 strategy 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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385. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he sees a positive future for the dairy and beef sector here and continued assurance of its ability to produce food at much lower levels of carbon emissions than any other country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51930/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I am very aware of the contribution of the meat and dairy sectors to Irish agri-food as a whole, supporting significant levels of direct employment as well as their role in supporting rural economies and the wider national economy. 

The Department and I continue to prioritise supporting the sustainable development of these sectors including through targeted supports aimed at supporting primary producers to increase the environmental and economic efficiency of their operations.

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 recently publishedFood Vision 2030 strategy, sets out an effective pathway to deal with these challenges, while establishing Ireland as a world leader in sustainable food systems.

The use of technologies such as the economic breeding index, genomics in breeding decisions and milk recording, as well as efficiencies in pasture and manure management are all important tools currently used in the management of greenhouse gas emissions in dairy production.

Global trade conditions will be crucial in determining the outlook for the Irish meat and dairy sectors over the medium to longer term.

While the outlook for the sector remains broadly positive, the sector continues to face challenges including the ongoing uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ensuring the continued operation of Irish food supply chains and the pursuit and development of new markets remains a key priority for my Department.