Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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326. 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. [18876/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland is one of the most food secure countries in the world. In fact, Ireland has come second of 113 countries assessed for food security, according to the latest Global Food Security Index.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine have a number of policies and strategies in place to ensure agriculture plays its role in meeting the national climate targets by 2030 and 2050, while continuing to sustainably produce food and feed.

My position has been consistent- each sector, including agriculture, will need to play its part to achieve this target.

In the Agriculture chapter of the Climate Action Plan 2023, I have proposed measures around three themes: inputs and additives, husbandry practices, and diversification. In practical terms, the types of actions that the sector is undertaking include reducing chemical nitrogen usage and changing fertiliser type, providing voluntary diversification options for farmers, while also improving the environmental dividend from our farmed land. Each of these measures will be supported by a range of actions, setting out a viable pathway towards reaching our targets.

There is no doubt that some livestock farmers will take up diversification options that are provided as part of our climate transformation including to areas such as Organics, Forestry, Tillage and the provision of feedstock for Anaerobic Digestion as we increase the production of renewables. However, given the efficiency gains that continue to be made at farm level, I remain confident that there is no risk to food security, even if some farmers choose to diversify.

In terms of examples for improvement, we have seen the key role the Economic Breeding Index has played in dairy production over the last decade. I am keen to explore how we can, with the necessary commitment of all stakeholders, extend the work we have already done to improve the genetic profile of the herd in recent years.

My ultimate aim is to future proof 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 agrifood 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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327. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the future of the dairy industry, 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. [18877/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I remain confident that the outlook for the Irish dairy Industry remains positive - the long-term fundamentals of the dairy sector are really strong. We produce a safe, nutritious and sustainable products that are in demand across the globe and, despite the current market downturn, these products are still in demand from trusted buyers.

The Irish Dairy Industry is the jewel in the crown of our €16bn export agrifood sector. It is a sector of immense importance to the economy.

In 2022, Irish farmers produced over 8.8 billion litres of milk, an increase of over 2 billion litres since the abolition of quotas in 2015. Total Irish milk production increased by 0.7% percent in 2022 year on year. Irish Dairy exports exceeded the €7 billion mark in 2022 and reached 130 different markets last year.

The number of Irish dairy cows currently stands at 1.65 million head. CSO statistics show that the total number of dairy cows in the country has increased every year for the last five years. There has also been continuous growth in the average dairy herd size since 2011, rising from 64 to 92 cows per milking herd currently. It should however be noted that increased production is driven by other factors as well as an increased herd, for example improved genetics.

I established the Food Vision Dairy Group last year to advance the actions for the dairy sector identified in the Food Vision 2030 strategy, taking account of the requirement for the sector to contribute to achieving the targets set for agriculture emissions in the Climate Act process.

The first priority for the Group 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 MT of carbon dioxide equivalent.

The Dairy Group submitted their final report in October 2022, which has been published on my Department’s website. The report identified measures which could contribute to reducing emissions. The publication was timely as it then served to inform the Climate Action Plan 2023 which was launched in December 2022. The implementation roadmap for actions outlined in the Plan is contained in a supplementary annex of actions which was published in March.

My Department will work collaboratively with all other Departments and agencies involved to implement these priority actions.