Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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26. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he has engaged with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Taoiseach in relation to their promotion of beef exports to South Korea and to state whether he thinks prompting beef exports to South Korea is compatible with reducing emissions from agriculture under the Climate Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50235/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021 commits Ireland to a legally binding target of a climate neutral economy no later than 2050, and a reduction in greenhouse emissions of 51% by 2030. Under the carbon budget programme adopted by the Oireachtas, the Government has approved sectoral emission ceilings for the first and second carbon budget periods (2021-2025 and 2026-2030). For our agriculture sector, this process has set a 10% emissions reduction target for 2025 and a 25% emissions reduction target for 2030.

While responsibility for complying with the sectoral emissions ceilings sits with my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, there is continuous engagement and cooperation between our two Departments on implementation of agreed climate policies, measures and actions.

Livestock grazing out of doors dominates the Irish agriculture sector, which has a reputation for high quality and sustainably produced food. Maintaining that reputation is imperative, as 90% of our production is exported. Ireland is already well placed through the success of the Origin Green programme and can maintain and build on this competitive advantage. Conversely, failure to mitigate emissions is a risk to the sector’s reputation for sustainable production.

The Climate Action Plan 2023 shows a pathway for how these emission reductions can be achieved in the coming years, increasing ambition for efficiency in the sector while also heavily promoting the diversification of agricultural activities. These actions will both improve animal breeding, feeding and finishing, and also encourage farmers to diversify into sectors including organics, tillage and biomethane production.