Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2021
706. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide clarification on what he and his Department understand by the term stabilisation with respect to policies or commitments impacting the national herd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54240/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s new Climate Action Plan sets out a 22% - 30% reduction in agricultural GHGs by 2030, based on a starting point of 23MT, to bring emissions into a range of 16-18 MT by 2030, an absolute reduction of between 5 and 7 MT.
The term 'stabilisation' in the context of the Deputy's question refers to the Government's position on maintaining a stable herd. Looking back over the last decade, data from the CSO’s June Livestock Survey indicates that the total number of cattle has increased by 11% over the period from 2010 to 2021; while the total number of cows has increased by 14% over that period.
The Government’s position is to maintain a stable number of animals in the herd, while reducing the absolute emissions of the sector and improving the carbon footprint of our produce.
In stabilising the national herd, the focus over the coming decade will be the increased and early adoption of existing carbon mitigation measures, while working to develop new abatement measures through research and innovation. National herd numbers by 2030 will be determined not only by how technology and innovation deliver for the agricultural sector, but also to what extent livestock farmers embrace other opportunities and voluntarily diversify to other agricultural enterprises, for example extending organic farming practices.
While I acknowledge that the emissions reductions target for the sector is challenging, I am confident that it is achievable. The Food Vision 2030 strategy includes a commitment to produce detailed plans by Quarter 2 of next year to manage the sustainable environmental footprint of the dairy and the beef sectors; and I will be prioritising that action.
