Production can grow as greenhouse gas emissions flatline – Gleeson

Improved technology and efficiency can deliver increased production without increasing greenhouse gas emissions, the Department of Agriculture's new secretary general Brendan Gleeson told the Oireachtas climate committee this Wednesday.

"We can certainly reduce the emissions intensity and make them flatline against the backdrop of an increase in production," Gleeson said.

Reaching the Food Wise 2025 target of €19bn in food exports is not only about volumes, but also higher value products and entering new, more lucrative markets. However, "it’s not possible to produce food without emissions", Gleeson said.

Solar panels

Asked about TAMS grants for solar panels on dairy farms, Gleeson said this was currently available mostly to pig farms "but it’s something we need to look at". However, he warned that money in the current Rural Development Programme was now fully allocated and options for changing supported investments are limited until it ends in 2020.

Climate committee member Senator Ian Marshall, former president of the Ulster Farmers Union, highlighted the importance of efficiency and the "uncomfortable conversation" we need to have with the public on the scale of farms.

"The reality, albeit not a popular one, is that a big efficient dairy unit has a lower carbon footprint per milk produced than a smaller family farm," Marshall said, calling for "evidence-based policy".

Co-operation

Gleeson said Government had to work with both intensive and extensive farmers, such as smaller suckler producers working in an environmentally-friendly way in the west.

We need to recognise the public goods that smaller farmers provide and reward that in some way

Senator Marshall was among a number of committee members to highlight the opportunity to produce biogas and help manage slurry, something which has seen a lack of development compared with other European countries.

Gleeson said his department was working to develop it, including through upcoming research at Teagasc, but was dependent on the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment for decisions to support any renewable energy technology.

Fuel tax

Also on Wednesday, John Bruton gave first public speech as Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment on Wednesday. He warned of the need for "a significant change across government".

Bruton also announced a rise in taxes on diesel and other fossil fuels, saying: "I believe that we need to set a trajectory for increasing carbon taxes between now and 2030."

Read more

Listen: 'Climate action must leave no-one behind' – Robinson

Listen: co-ops needed to fight climate change

Five-year payback needed for farm energy projects