Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

99. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how the sectoral emissions reductions targets for agriculture for the first carbon budget period can now be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8354/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be aware that the 25% sectoral emission reduction set for the agriculture sector is a challenging target, requiring scientific and technological advancements. These include reducing chemical nitrogen usage and changing fertiliser type; providing voluntary diversification options for farmers, and improving environmental dividends from farmed land. These measures are supported by a range of actions, setting out a viable pathway towards reaching agriculture’s target.

The actions set out in the CAP are supported through enhanced targeted supports set out in Ireland’s Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan (CSP 2023-2027) under the remit of schemes such as Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS), Agri-Climate Rural Environmental Scheme (ACRES), Organic Farming Scheme (OFS), Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme (SCEP), Protein Aid Scheme, Tillage Incentive Scheme (TIS) and the Straw Incorporation Scheme. The CSP has seen a significant increase in national co-funding, bringing the total budget to almost €10 billion.

The agricultural sector has made substantial progress on some of CAP23’s KPIs in the past year. For example, the use of chemical nitrogen (N) has decreased in comparison to last year. This brings the agricultural sector close to its goal of reducing chemical N use to a maximum of 330,000 tonnes by 2025.

Ireland is progressing our climate commitments with respect to reduced management intensity on soils and afforestation, supported by DAFM’s investment in the establishment of a ‘National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory’. The Irish Government is investing €1.3 billion in Irish forestry over the next five years. The National Forestry Programme for 2023 to 2027 will see an increase in forestry premiums of between 46% and 66%.

Mitigating agricultural emissions will require a sustained research effort. DAFM is supporting a number of research projects and initiatives to develop the necessary technologies to facilitate the move to a more sustainable agricultural sector with reduced emissions. DAFM has provided funding of €8m to 12 Methane related research projects over the last 5 years. The “METH-ABATE” project (funded by DAFM) is looking at the development and validation of novel technologies to reduce methane emissions from pasture based Irish agricultural systems.

This targeted, multifaceted approach will set Ireland on a positive trajectory in the context of the agricultural carbon budgets to 2030.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

100. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains satisfied that agrifood imports into this country from whatever source are only allowed from countries adhering to similar carbon reduction measures that apply in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8249/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland has an obligation to contribute to global efforts to mitigate climate change, and the agri-food sector has a critical role to play in these efforts. The Government has committed to an economy-wide target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030. My position has been consistent that each sector, including agriculture, will need to play its part to achieve this target. We 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 produce food sustainably.

Agri-food imports are of course subject to a range of requirements that must be met when entering the EU single market. The EU manages trade relations with third countries in the form of trade agreements. They are designed to create better trading opportunities and overcome related barriers. The EU's trade policy is also used as a vehicle for the promotion of European principles and values, from democracy and human rights to environment and social rights.

Recent EU Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and FTA negotiations contain sustainability chapters. New EU FTAs provide an opportunity to address the threats associated with climate change through the inclusion of detailed chapters on Trade and Sustainable Development. Such chapters include provisions which underscore the importance of implementing the provisions of the Paris Agreement and promote the positive contribution that trade can make on the pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the EU FTA with New Zealand, which reached political agreement in June 2022, includes a Trade and Sustainability Chapter which is aligned to the EU’s new “Trade Agreements for Green and Just Growth” approach. This allows for stronger and more enforceable sustainability commitments and a specific list of green goods and services liberalised from the first day of application of the agreement.

Food Vision 2030 is Ireland’s shared stakeholder-led strategy for the agri-food sector and aims for Ireland to be “a world leader in sustainable food systems”. This means that it will be profitable throughout (economic sustainability), have a positive or neutral impact on the natural environment (environmental sustainability), and have broad based benefits for society (social sustainability). One of Food Vision's objectives is to achieve a climate-neutral food system by 2050, with verifiable progress by 2030, encompassing emissions, biodiversity, and water quality, as well as a range of other targets for forestry, fisheries, organic farming, and food waste.

Under the Government's Climate Action Plans, the pathway to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the sector is clearly set out. These measures are grouped 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.

Guided by Food Vision 2030, the agriculture sector is undergoing a significant transformation. I believe that this will future proof Ireland’s agri-food sector for the benefit of our sector, the environment and our farm families, who are the backbone of the sector and rural communities. Agri-food in Ireland will continue to be underpinned by our world class livestock and tillage sectors, and it is critical that we work collectively to achieve our environmental targets while maintaining food production.