Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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456. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that carbon reduction targets can continue to be met without damaging the food production sector which is fundamental to the national economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7336/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In November 2021, the Climate Action Plan was published, setting out an ambitious reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for the agriculture sector of between 22% and 30% by 2030 when compared with a 2018 baseline.

The achievement of this target will take a whole-of-government, whole-of-sector approach, but I remain confident in the sector's ability to achieve its climate targets without compromising food production. The Climate Action Plan is aligned with the Food Vision 2030 strategy which was published last year.

One of the major actions included within the Climate Action Plan is an overall reduction in chemical nitrogen fertiliser use to 325,000 tonnes by 2030, a key objective of the EU Farm-to-Fork Strategy. The Plan places significant emphasis on measures that will maintain grass productivity with reduced levels of chemical fertiliser use. These measures include an increased use of lime on farms, the use of clover and other multispecies swards which are less dependant on chemical nitrogen and a greater uptake of low emission slurry spreading technology.

The Teagasc Signpost farms initiative, along with the many public and private advisors, will play a key role in up skilling farmers over the years ahead. The recently submitted Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan also contains a number of measures that will support a transition to a more sustainable agricultural sector, including for example increased financial supports for organic farming. The agri-food sector is the backbone of the rural economy, and a key pillar of the national economy, and my Department will continue to financially support it.

By implementing the measures contained within the Climate Action Plan, I am very confident that we can transition the sector to a more long term sustainable platform, with co-benefits for water, air quality and biodiversity, while at all times, maintaining productivity in the sector. I have repeatedly indicated that research and innovation will be needed over the decade in order to bring the sector into compliance with its carbon budget ceiling, a position which is very much consistent with all sectors of the economy.