Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Climate Action Plan 2023, launched on 21 December 2023 is the first plan to be prepared under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Act 2021 and following the introduction in 2022, of economy-wide carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings.

The plan implements these carbon budgets and sectoral emissions ceilings and sets out a roadmap for taking decisive action to halve our emissions by 2030 and reach net zero no later than 2050, as committed to in the Programme for Government. Climate Action Plan 2023 sets outs how Ireland can accelerate the actions that are required to respond to the climate crisis, putting climate solutions at the centre of Ireland’s social and economic development.

The 25% sectoral emission ceiling set for the agriculture sector is a hugely challenging target and one that will see our sector change over the coming decade with scientific and technological solutions evolving all the time.

In the Climate Action Plan 2023, Agriculture has focused on three themes: Inputs and additives, husbandry practices and diversification. These measures include reducing chemical nitrogen usage and changing fertiliser type; providing voluntary diversification options for farmers, whilst also improving the environmental dividend from our farmed land. Each of these measures are supported by a range of actions, setting out a viable pathway towards reaching Agriculture’s target.

2023 will see the introduction of a National Fertiliser Database which will allow a range of information on fertiliser products, fertiliser economic operators and end users to be collected. It will also support farmers in reducing usage and engaging with industry led sustainability measurement.

Nitrogen reduction is also supported through the continuation of aid for Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment. Over 5,100 applications have been paid in full under the LESS measure of the Targeted Agricultural Modernization Scheme 2 since its launch in 2015. From 2023, funding for this measure will increase from 40% to 60% under the recently launched TAMS 3 scheme. As well as reducing the chemical fertiliser allowances for farmers under Nitrates legislation, the use of protected urea is also being promoted which will help achieve ammonia emissions targets in addition to GHG emissions reductions.

In 2022, my Department established the Food Vision Dairy, and Beef and Sheep Groups. Their purpose was to advance environment and climate actions for the dairy, beef and sheep sectors identified in the Food Vision 2030 strategy, taking account of the requirement for the sectors to contribute to achieving our climate targets. Both the Beef & Sheep and Dairy Groups have submitted their final reports, which have been published. Both groups recognised the contribution that methane mitigating breeding strategies can play in building carbon efficiency traits into our livestock population. For example, we would very much like Ireland to become the first country in the world to genotype all livestock in the country. Reducing slaughter age of cattle is another key recommendation of the Food Vision 2030 Beef and Sheep group. To deliver on these measures the new Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme introduced in 2023 is designed specifically to improve the environmental sustainability and genetic merit of the suckler herd. The overall allocation to this scheme is €256 million plus an additional €4 million for mandatory training for all participants over the next five years.

Diversification opportunities are or will be available to farmers include Tillage, Anaerobic Digestion, Organics and Forestry. In tillage, support is being provided through the current CAP Strategic Plan’s Protein Aid Scheme with an increase in aid being provided from €3 million to €7million. Support is also being provided for new tillage land conversion through the Tillage Incentive Scheme and carbon sequestration by the tillage sector through the Straw Incorporation scheme.

Delivery of a biomethane industry of scale will be important for agriculture but also for industry and the decarbonisation of heat supply. I have recently appointed consultants to help to develop a Biomethane Strategy by Q3 of 2023. There is a five-fold increase in funding for Organic Farming to €256m to triple the area of land farmed organically to 7.5%. The number of farmers farming organically has more than doubled to approximately 4,300. Organic farmers are also eligible for support of 60% in the Organic Capital Investment Scheme (OCIS) and have priority access to the 2023 Agri-Climate Rural Environmental Scheme (ACRES). The TAMS 3 Scheme opened recently consisting of ten different schemes which will support sustainable farming. For example, the Solar Capital Investment Scheme has seen the grant rate increased for Irish farmers from 40% to 60%, with a €90,000 investment ceiling, assisting farmers to generate renewable energy for use in their farming businesses. Overall, the CAP Strategic Plan has seen a significant increase in national co-funding, bringing the total budget to almost €10 billion. This represents a significant increase in funding compared to the previous Rural Development Programme and includes €1.5bn for the new agri-environment scheme – ACRES.

Mitigating agricultural emissions is challenging and will require a sustained effort by all actors in the sector.