Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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142. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to promote the consumption of hogget; if the Teagasc research centre has carried out any research in this regard; if such sources could be developed for the provision of emergency food resources for Irish Aid food and nutrition interventions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10012/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The term hogget in an Irish context refers to sheep that have attained the age of 12 months (technical from one to two years old – denoted by the appearance of the first two permanent incisor teeth).

Bord Bia are the agency with responsibility for the promotion of sheep meat. While Bord Bia does not specifically name the product as ‘hogget’ it does promote lamb and mutton as part of their overall offering.

Teagasc have and continue to carry our research on lamb/hogget finishing options for lowland, hill and organic sheep farming systems.

Over the past decade while domestic consumption of sheep meat has declined, the EU market remains the primary outlet for Irish sheepmeat. Last year, Irish sheepmeat was exported to more than 30 markets, which is testament to the world-class product produced on our farms.

Currently there is a considerable shortage of sheep meat as a result of reducing flock sizes in the main sheep meat producing countries in the EU. Accordingly, sheep farmers are seeing exceptionally strong prices for both lamb and sheep meat.

With regard to the provision of emergency food resources for Irish Aid food and nutrition interventions, Ireland does not provide food items as aid in-kind due to the logistical cost of transport, refrigeration and warehousing.

Irish Aid, while it provides emergency help in response to food crises, mainly focuses on preventing such crises. The need to invest in the transformation of global food systems is crucial. Ireland believes in creating sustainable food systems that provide affordable and nutritious diets for all. Currently Irish Aid emergency food relief work is made by way of funding to an array of UN and NGO humanitarian partners who have long-standing experience in those countries falling within Ireland’s humanitarian and development footprint, who then undertake the distribution of food aid in the critical last mile.

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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143. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are any plans to push back the start date for low-emission slurry spreading (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10029/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Ammonia is an 'air quality' issue with agriculture responsible for over 99% of ammonia emissions in Ireland. Ireland has exceeded its national target in respect of ammonia emissions therefore measures need to be implemented in the agriculture sector to return us to compliance.

It should also be recognised that significant progress has been achieved in recent years and many farmers have embraced a change to Low Emission technology (LESS), supported by grant aid under TAMS and this change is to be commended. As a result of implementation of LESS, farmers have increased nutrient use efficiency and have significantly reduced chemical fertiliser inputs.

The current requirement in the Nitrates Regulations is for farmers with a grassland stocking rate of, or above, 100 kg livestock manure N per hectare (N/ha) to use Low Emission Slurry Spreading (LESS) equipment. This requirement was signed into Regulation in March 2022 and came into effect 1st January 2025 to allow farmers concerned a lead in time for implementation. Farmers that have a grassland stocking rate below 100 kg N/ha are not required to use LESS equipment and can continue to use the 'splashplate' to apply cattle slurry.

While significant progress has been made over recent years, Ireland is not yet meeting its legal obligation to reduce ammonia emissions and has received an infringement notice from the European Commission for non-compliance in 2022 (the most recent reporting period). In addition, from 2030 onwards the reduction commitment required is 5% below 2005 levels which will be an even bigger challenge for the sector highlighting the need to implement measures now. The requirement to use LESS is a key commitment under Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme along with the restriction on unprotected granular urea which will help Ireland move towards compliance with the EU requirements.