In the context of the development of the agri-food sector to 2025, what specific actions should be taken by farmers/fishermen, processors and the State on: Greenhouse gas emissions and sequestration Air, water and soil quality Biodiversity Bioenergy development Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture Considering the limited options for agriculture to reduce emissions, ICSA believes that the Emissions: primary production sector should be treated independently. Agriculture has capacity, although currently limited, to reduce emissions. Already improved nutrient management has delivered a 35% reduction in nitrogen fertiliser usage over the past ten years, delivering a 0.5 MT emission reduction per year. It is also critical to point out that when agriculture offsets emissions, for example through planting forestry or producing electricity through anaerobic digestion units, the carbon savings are attributed to another sector, resulting in agriculture not being awarded the carbon credit for a commodity subsequently then owned by the State. This also needs be reflected in the strategy so that agriculture is given due credit in contributing to the fight against climate change. It is also important to ensure better utilisation of grass. Farmers are correctly focused on growing more grass but increased utilisation will mean more feed being derived from a fixed fertiliser input. Teagasc modelling and projections described in the analysis of scenarios related to the ‘Environmental that a shift towards a implementation of recommendations in Food Harvest 2020’ note ‘high technology’ approach in Irish agriculture has the potential to actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions through more efficient use of inputs, improved genetic merit, advanced manure management etc. Such an output is dependent on the delivery of increased efficiency across all agricultural sectors. An example of how such a high technology scenario can be implemented by the drystock sector as part of its commitment to GHG abatement is the Beef Genomics Scheme. The development of a genomics database and its implications for improved genetic merit of the suckler herd could form the backbone of the suckler and beef sub-sectors’ to the overall agriculture to control and reduce contribution sector’s attempts emissions. AF2025 needs to build on this foundation and tie potential emission benefits to marketing opportunities. Significant progress has been made in Irish farming in the last two decades in Air, water and soil quality: relation to the protection of air, soil and water. Compliance with the requirements of the Water and Nitrates
In the context of the development of the agri-food sector to 2025, what specific actions should be taken by farmers/fishermen, processors and the State on: Greenhouse gas emissions and sequestration Air, water and soil quality Biodiversity Bioenergy development Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture Emissions: Considering the limited options for agriculture to reduce emissions, ICSA believes that the primary production sector should be treated independently. Agriculture has capacity, although currently limited, to reduce emissions. Already improved nutrient management has delivered a 35% reduction in nitrogen fertiliser usage over the past ten years, delivering a 0.5 MT emission reduction per year. It is also critical to point out that when agriculture offsets emissions, for example through planting forestry or producing electricity through anaerobic digestion units, the carbon savings are attributed to another sector, resulting in agriculture not being awarded the carbon credit for a commodity subsequently then owned by the State. This also needs be reflected in the strategy so that agriculture is given due credit in contributing to the fight against climate change. It is also important to ensure better utilisation of grass. Farmers are correctly focused on growing more grass but increased utilisation will mean more feed being derived from a fixed fertiliser input. Teagasc modelling and projections described in the ‘Environmental analysis of scenarios related to the implementation of recommendations in Food Harvest 2020’ note that a shift towards a ‘high technology’ approach in Irish agriculture has the potential to actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions through more efficient use of inputs, improved genetic merit, advanced manure management etc. Such an output is dependent on the delivery of increased efficiency across all agricultural sectors. An example of how such a high technology scenario can be implemented by the drystock sector as part of its commitment to GHG abatement is the Beef Genomics Scheme. The development of a genomics database and its implications for improved genetic merit of the suckler herd could form the backbone of the suckler and beef sub-sectors’ contribution to the overall agriculture sector’s attempts to control and reduce emissions. AF2025 needs to build on this foundation and tie potential emission benefits to marketing opportunities. Air, water and soil quality: Significant progress has been made in Irish farming in the last two decades in relation to the protection of air, soil and water. Compliance with the requirements of the Water and Nitrates
ICSA2025sub260115.docx