Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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470. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he remains committed to ensuring and safeguarding agri-food production in this country while at the same time meeting carbon reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41657/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Maintaining food production is at the core of the Government's economy-wide target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030. My position is consistent- each sector, including agriculture, needs to play its part to achieve this target whilst continuing to sustainably produce food and feed.

The Food Vision 2030 Strategy sets out a pathway for Ireland to become a world leader in Sustainable Food Systems over the next decade.

While the emissions targets for agriculture are particularly challenging, the Climate Action Plan includes a range of measures to reduce emissions setting out a viable pathway towards reaching our targets. Last year, 2023, was a year of considerable progress for agriculture with emissions reduced by 4.6% relative to 2022.

Our CAP Strategic Plan supports farmers to transition to more sustainable practices while also supporting family farm incomes, with a budget of €9.8bn. In addition, I have secured a further €60 million for ACRES bringing scheme funding to €260m in 2025, €67m for Organic Farming in 2025 to increase the area to 10% of utilised agricultural area and €260m to improve the carbon efficiency of the suckler herd.

We have made positive in-roads over the last number of years evidenced by reductions achieved, but we have more to do. My Department and its agencies are investing in research across of range of climate change mitigation headings. Projects such as Meth-abate and Greenbreed have led to significant scientific advancements in the area of methane-reducing feed additives and low-emission breeding strategies. The results of the research also highlight the potential to breed more environmentally sustainable animals, without having a negative impact on food production.

My aim is to future proof Ireland’s agri-food sector for the benefit of our industry, the environment and our farm families who are the backbone of the sector and rural communities. The sector 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.