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 continues to encourage compliance to meet emission reduction targets while at the same time ensuring that the agrifood industry is not damaged, given the prospect of world food shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61597/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy may be aware that the issue of maintaining food production has been the subject of much discussion over recent months, particularly in the context of agreeing sectoral emissions ceiling that were established for the agriculture sector over recent months. 

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.

I am currently considering the outputs of the Food Vision Dairy and Beef reports. All options are being considered in order to ensure that emissions get on a declining trajectory to live within our agreed carbon budgets. The Climate Action Plan 2023 will soon be published, and it will contain a step up in ambition in relation to some measures such as reduced chemical N and protected urea. I am satisfied that the sector will be able to achieve its stated climate objectives. There is no doubt that some farmers will take up diversification options that are provided as part of our climate transformation. However, given the efficiency gains that continue to be made at farm level, I am confident that food production levels can be maintained, even if some farmers choose to diversify. We have seen the key role the Economic Breeding Index has played in dairy production over the last decade. 

My ultimate aim is to futureproof our beef and dairy sector for the benefit of our industry, the environment and our farm families who are the backbone of the sector and rural communities. Ireland's agri-food sector will continue to be underpinned by our world class dairy and beef sectors, and it is critical that we work collectively to achieve these multiple objectives.

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 he remains satisfied regarding the future of the dairy industry here, with particular reference to the need to reduce carbon emissions while at the same time ensuring the development of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61598/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I remain confident that the outlook for the Irish dairy Industry remains very positive. It is well placed to meet the challenges we face into in the time ahead. The industry continues to grow and evolve to meet the demands of local and international markets. Ireland currently exports over 90% of our dairy output and a strong strategic focus with sustainability at its core is required to maintain these international markets. The Irish dairy industry is one of our largest and most profitable sectors. I am happy to report that the Irish dairy exports exceeded the €5 billion mark in 2021 for the third consecutive year, with exports to over 140 countries worldwide.

I established the Food Vision Dairy Group earlier this year to advance the actions for the dairy sector identified in the Food Vision 2030 strategy. The first priority was to chart a pathway to contributing to the legally binding target of a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 2030, equivalent to a reduction of 5.75 mega tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

The Food Vision dairy group submitted a report in October this year, following extensive deliberations with industry stakeholders, that contains 19 recommended measures to address how emissions from the dairy sector can be stabilised and then reduced. This report has been published on my Department’s website.

Putting the dairy sector on an even more sustainable footing is a key priority of mine and I believe we can build a more resilient sector for this and future generations of farmers. I will study this report carefully before deciding on next steps.  My ultimate aim is to futureproof our dairy sector for the benefit of our industry, the environment and our farm families who are the backbone of the sector and rural communities.

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 he remains satisfied regarding the future of the beef industry here with particular reference to the need to reduce carbon emissions while at the same time ensuring the development of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61599/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Our beef and suckler farm families produce a world-class product that is in demand in markets across the globe.  To date in 2022, beef prices remain very strong with R3 Steer prices at 467 c/kg as of 21st November, and an increase in slaughter of 7.7% in the year to date compared to 2021.

According to CSO data beef exports for 2022 up until the end of September were valued at €2.2 billion, an increase of 26% in value terms.  Exports for the same period were up by 12% in volume.

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. 

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

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.

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 established the Food Vision Dairy, and Beef and Sheep Groups this year to advance the actions for the dairy, beef and sheep sector identified in the Food Vision 2030 strategy, taking account of the requirement for the sectors to contribute to achieving the targets set for agriculture emissions in the Climate Act process. 

The first priority for both Groups was to chart a pathway to achieving the legally binding target of a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 2030, equivalent to a reduction of 5.75 mega tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Both the Beef & Sheep and Dairy Groups have recently submitted their final reports, which have been published on my Department’s website.

 I want to thank the Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group, and its Chair Professor Thia Hennessy, for the intense effort that went into this report, which details direct and enabling measures needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the beef sector. Putting the beef sector on an even more sustainable footing is a key priority of mine and I believe we can build a more resilient sector for this and future generations of farmers.

 I understand that the measures listed have not been agreed by all members of the Group, which is understandable given that there are significant economic costs, particularly at farm level, attached to implementing some of these measures.  However, it is key that first we have a pathway to reducing emissions and know what measures can contribute to that.  I have thanked the members of the Food Vision Beef and Sheep Group for the time and effort they have invested in this process. I will study this report carefully before deciding on next steps.

 My ultimate aim is to futureproof our beef sector for the benefit of our industry, the environment and our farm families who are the backbone of the sector and rural communities.