Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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624. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the analysis his Department conducted on carbon sequestration qualities of the States hedgerows and how they may be used as mitigation against agriculture emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36092/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Hedgerows can make a significant contribution to carbon sequestration, in addition to the biodiversity and water quality benefits they provide, which supports the continued viability and sustainability of the agrifood sector.

My Department has introduced several initiatives investigating the carbon sequestration qualities of hedgerows in Ireland. Teagasc, in conjunction with FERS Ltd completed research to help improve the national estimation of hedgerow carbon sequestration in an EPA-funded FarmCarbon project. This research found that increasing hedge width and height can substantially increase both above and below ground Carbon sequestration, whilst also providing increased biodiversity.

Within the Teagasc Signpost farms program the soil organic carbon baseline levels have been assessed across over a 100 Signpost Farms, with these soils being resampled regularly. Teagasc research, using projects such as the National Agricultural Soil Carbon Observatory (NASCO) and the Signpost Farms, aims to improve the measurement of carbon sequestration and focuses on improving estimation of carbon sequestration in hedgerows and on farm woodland. This research will be incorporated into the Teagasc MACC and the on farm AgNav tool that supports climate action by farmers in favour of climate change mitigation.

We now have mechanisms that allow use to quantify carbon stock changes in hedgerows associated with the management regime which is relevant for supporting best management practices in favour of climate action.

However, for hedgerows to contribute to national mitigation and climate targets, it is imperative that we protect and appropriately maintain existing hedgerows and plant new hedgerows where possible. To this end, My Department has implemented a number of measures to protect and enhance the network of hedgerows and landscape features on agricultural land under the CAP Strategic Plan and other areas.

Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent)
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625. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department reviewed the biogenic carbon cycle from grass fed cattle in terms of emission reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36093/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency has overall responsibility for the management and updating of the Agricultural Emissions Inventory and reporting in accordance with our EU and international climate commitments. My Department engages regularly with the Environmental Protection Agency, Teagasc and other research institutions in refining the inventory so it accurately reflects the emissions generated from our pasture-based systems.

A significant refinement to the inventory took place in 2024 in relation to the calculation of emissions from non-dairy cattle systems. Additional elements of the production system, along with updated data from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation were included in the Agricultural Inventory. This allowed for revised live weight and average daily weight gain data to be incorporated at a more refined level, and also tracked and accounted for the changes in finishing age in recent years. This inventory update contributed significantly to reducing the accounted emissions from the Agriculture sector by on average 1.4MtCO2eq per year.

My Department continues to support the research to develop the science behind the carbon footprint of our grass based livestock systems, and to facilitate the updating of the Agricultural Inventory with the new science.

My aim is to future proof Ireland’s Agri-Food sector for the benefit of our industry, the environment, and our farm families. It is critical that we work together to keep the agricultural sector in Ireland on a positive trajectory to achieving our climate targets.