Written answers

Thursday, 14 July 2022

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Agriculture Industry

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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891. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to strive to ensure that climate emission targets can be achieved without damage to the agri-food sector given the pivotal role that sector plays in the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39302/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that the issue of maintaining food production has been the subject of much discussion over recent months, particularly in the context of the Climate Action Plan 2021 and the establishment of sectoral emission ceilings.

My position has been consistent on this matter, agriculture will indeed need to step up its climate ambitions, like all sectors, in order to ensure that the economy wide reduction of a 51% reduction in emissions by 2030 is achieved.  However, agriculture is not unique in this regard as climate change is a challenge for everyone in society.

The Climate Act makes its clear that the social and economic role of agriculture, alongside the distinct charesteristics of biogenic methane, must be fully considered when setting a final emissions ceiling for the sector.

I am satisfied that the Government will be able to achieve its stated climate objectives, while at the same time continuing to produce high quality sustainable food. I am also keen that diversification options are provided to farmers as part of our climate transformation. Some farmers may choose to take these up, whether it be increased forestry planting or growing grass as a feedstock for an Anaerobic Digestion industry.

However, the final target that is set for the sector must be realistic, otherwise, there is risk that we will undermine our international reputation as a carbon efficient producer of meat and milk protein. This is something that must be avoided.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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892. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of persons that are currently employed directly or indirectly in the agri-food sector; the extent to which it is expected to ensure the future of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39303/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Department  of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) continually monitors the levels of employment in the agriculture and wider agri-food sector. Employment figures are primarily sourced from the Central Statistics Office's (CSO) quarterly Labour Force Survey.

The agri-food sector is an essential part of the economic and social fabric of Ireland, especially in rural and coastal areas. Irish food is produced by farmers, fishers and agri-food companies around the country and this locally produced food is exported to over 180 countries around the world. 

Employment in the Agri-food sector accounted for 170,400 people, representing 7.1% of the total workforce in Ireland in 2021. The average numbers employed during 2021 in agriculture, forestry and fishing were 107,000, with 49,650 employed in the manufacture of food products, 7,750 employed in the manufacture of beverages and about 6,000 employed in the wood and wood-processing sector.

It should be noted that the Labour Force Survey is based on the main employment a person reports in the survey. Where a part-time farmer reports their off-farm job as their main employment, they will not be recorded as working in primary agriculture. Teagasc in their annual National Farm Survey outline that up to 34% of farm holders have off-farm employment while 54% of farm holders and/or their spouse has an off farm employment.

It is also important to note that while the overall level of employment from these sectors is 7.1% of total employment nationwide, the proportion of employment outside Dublin is much greater. For example, CSO data shows that in the border region the agri-food sector employment accounted for 14.2% of overall employment and accounted for over 12% in the south-east region.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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893. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the dairy sector continues to expand worldwide in terms of exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39304/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish dairy Industry is one of our largest and most profitable sectors. Irish dairy exports exceeded the €5 billion mark in 2021 for the third consecutive year, with exports to over 140 countries worldwide.

The Irish dairy industry is built on the family-farm tradition. The high quality of Irish milk produced on our family farms from sustainable grass-based production systems contributes enormously to the success of the industry. Our dairy farmers produce top quality produce across the country and their work and efforts keeps our towns, villages and rural areas vibrant, spreading employment and continuing with our great agricultural tradition.

As a result of the hard work of all dairy industry stakeholders over the last number of years, including our dairy farmers and their families, our milk processors, our regulators, our exporters and our marketeers; international customers across the globe recognise the quality of Irish dairy products. My Department along with Bord Bia will continue to engage intensively with the competent authorities and trade customers in other countries, to ensure that this effort is recognised so that as many markets as possible are available for Irish dairy products.

In 2021, there were strong market returns across the core categories of butter, cheese and powders, coupled with a diversified market spread, helped sustain a strong demand during the year.

 Food Vision 2030 , the new ten-year strategy for the Irish agri-food sector, sets a vision for Ireland to become a world leader in sustainable food systems over the decade ahead, taking account of the economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainability. I subsequestly established the Food Vision Dairy Group to advance the specific actions for dairy set out in the strategy, and as a priority action to provide me with a report on how the dairy sector can stabilise and then reduce emissions. I look forward to receiving the Group's final report on this issue shortly.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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894. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which Ireland continues to make progress towards achieving targets for emission reductions in comparison with other agri-food producing countries throughout the globe with particular reference to competing jurisdictions that are doing better or worse than Ireland throughout Europe or globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39305/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Climate Act 2021 commits the agriculture sector to reducing emissions by 22-30% by 2030 based on an emissions baseline of 23MT CO2 eq in 2018. A sectoral emission ceiling will be established for the sector, which will place a legal limit on the quantity of CO2eq emissions the sector can produce over two budget periods.

My position as Minister has been clear from the outset, the sector must play its part in reducing its emissions.

However, I have also been clear that the final target established for the sector is fair and allows the sector to continue to produce the world class meat and milk protein that this country is appreciated for all over the globe.

The Climate Action Plan sets out a range of measures, whether it be reduced chemical nitrogen use, increased use of protected urea, earlier finishing age of our of prime beef cattle, and increased levels of organic productuion which will bring the sector close to its target range. It is anticipated that some new technologies will be needed to bring us into our target range, however, this is consistent with all sectors of the economy.

While international comparisons are valid by comparing the emissions intensity of production, we have legislative targets now in place and we must strive towards achieving these, irrespective of what other countries are doing. 

We continue to monitor progress in other countries to ensure that all appropriate technologies are being used in Ireland. The most obvious example of this is the role that protected urea now plays in New Zealand dairy production, something that we can replicate in our livestock production systems here.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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895. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which a specific plan for the pigmeat industry continues in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39306/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The continued development of the pigmeat sector is a priority for the Government, given the pivotal role the industry plays in the national economic context.

The sector supports approximately 8,000 jobs spanning production, slaughter, processing, feed manufacture and services. I am acutely aware of the challenges pig farmers are facing at present.

On 13th June, I announced the opening of applications for the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme 2 (PEPS2). A total fund of €13 million is being made available for this voluntary scheme for pig farmers, to support the viability of this important sector. The scheme closed for applications on Monday 11th July.

The PEPS2 scheme is in addition to the Pig Exceptional Payment Scheme I announced in February, funded by the Exchequer and notified under the agriculture de minimis state aid provisions, to support commercial pig farmers. This scheme provided for a payment of up to €20,000 per farmer. All payments have now been processed under that scheme.

The financial schemes detailed above are part of a wider package of measures to support the pigmeat sector, including intensified efforts by Bord Bia to promote quality assured Irish pigmeat in the domestic and export markets, with dedicated media advertising campaigns under way nationally, as well as EU-funded pigmeat promotion programmes running in key export markets.

Teagasc has also intensified its dedicated, ongoing advisory supports being provided to pig farmers and is actively engaging with pig farmers to explore the options available to them. 

My Department continues to monitor the market situation closely and engage at EU level to ensure a joined-up EU approach to the challenges arising from Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

In terms of ongoing stakeholder engagement my colleague, Minister of State Heydon, chairs quarterly meetings of the Pig Roundtable.  Including representatives from the farming and processing sectors, Teagasc, Bord Bia, and Department officials, the Roundtable's overarching objective is to serve as a vehicle for constructive discussion in driving forward the development of the sector as well as taking a high level approach to guiding the actions for the sector set out in Food Vision 2030.  

Both Minister Heydon and I want to ensure the long term viability of the sector given its huge importance.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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896. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he can confirm the future of the beef industry in Ireland with particular reference to production conditions, husbandry, processing, breeding and market presentation; the extent to which the industry will prevail in this regard in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39307/22]

Photo of Charlie McConalogueCharlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Our beef and suckler farm families produce a work-class product that is in demand in markets across the globe.  I am fully committed to delivering a sustainable and exciting future for the sector.

To date in 2022, beef prices remain at a seven year high with R3 Steer prices at 541.82c/kg as of 3rd June, and an increase in slaughter of 10% in the year to date compared to 2021.

Teagasc forecasts that EU beef supply will decline in 2022 and that UK supply will remain unchanged. The outlook for Irish beef exports remains generally positive for 2022 according to Bord Bia.

I am, however, acutely aware of the potential pressures being faced by many sectors across the agriculture industry due to the increase in input costs. 

Practices at all stages of the production process will need to continue to adapt to respond to evolving market and environmental requirements.  CSP interventions as well as the work of the Food Vision Beef and Sheep group will support this adaptation at primary producer level.

I have taken a proactive approach in responding to the impact of illegal war in Ukraine on the agri-food sector, through the various measures I have announced since this crisis started, to support our farm families and their businesses and I will continue to do so.

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