businesses on effective mitigation strategies.” According to Irvine, the ongoing genetic improvement and


productivity gains from improved husbandry and management practices are also contributing to significant improvements in feed efficiency. In addition, measures that extend the productive life of a dairy


cow — or reduce the age at slaughter for beef animals — help reduce emissions from the ruminant sector while making a major contribution to farm profitability. Local companies are leading the development of innovative


feed additives and feeding practices that have the greatest potential to contribute to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from cattle production. He concluded: “Adjustments to cattle diets, such as achieving


the optimum balance of concentrates to forages, as well as the use of feed additives and nutritional supplements, can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There are several methane-reducing feed additives on the market, including products based on garlic and citrus, clover and coriander seed, 3-Nitrooxypropanol and seaweeds. “The potential of the various technologies to reduce emissions range


from 10–90% reduction, and all are being fully evaluated and costed. “Feed scientists are committed to support sustainable livestock


production, and the work continues to refine and improve these products and to search for new approaches which will deliver further reductions in the coming years.”


PROSPECTS FOR IRISH AGRICULTURE LOOKING EXTREMELY POSITIVE The prospects for Irish agriculture are looking very positive in the medium term, according to farm minister Charlie McConalogue TD. Speaking at a recent press briefing in Dublin, he said: “Dairy, beef


and other commodity prices are relatively strong at the present time. And this very welcome trend is likely to be maintained for the foreseeable future. This is a very positive scenario for Irish farmers, as it reduces their reliance on supports from the point of view of generating a livelihood.” Turning to the specific needs of tillage farmers, the minister


confirmed that he was mindful of the recommendations for the sector contained with a recent Oireachtas report. He continued: “The new CAP measures will provide additional


opportunities to develop policies that meet the specific needs of the tillage sector. And I look forward to discussing these matters with all the relevant stakeholder bodies.” McConalaogue also highlighted many of the specific measures that


he has introduced to improve the sustainability of tillage farmers. These include the straw incorporation scheme. He commented: “This measure is delivering up to €4,000 per farm.


We know that straw incorporation acts to improve soil health while also capturing carbon.” Minister McConlalogue stressed that the scheme is not interfering with the normal operation of the straw market in Ireland. The minister also indicated in the strongest possible terms that


Ireland’s national herd will not be cut in the wake of whatever final legislation is contained within Ireland’s Climate Act. He said that the plan has always been to work on the basis that livestock numbers will remain static. He believes that a combination of improved efficiency levels at farm


level, in tandem with new technologies, will allow production agriculture to reduce its carbon footprint over the coming years. But the minister also made it very clear that agriculture must play its


part in meeting the national targets when it comes to securing significant greenhouse gas abatement levels. He explained: “The AgClimatise Roadmap provides the context for the climate change actions proposed by the agriculture and land-use sectors. These actions demonstrate the sector’s commitment and ambition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions as well as providing a significant contribution to the decarbonisation of other key sectors of the economy, including energy.” Significantly, the minister cited the use of new feed additives as one


of the evolving options that will allow Irish farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emission levels within their businesses. Minister McConalogue refuted any suggestions that the discussions


on the Climate Bill should be put on hold until carbon sequestration levels on Irish farms had been fully determined. He said: “This is not a case of putting the cart before the horse. The


implementation of climate legislation will put in place a clear framework, allowing agriculture to respond constructively to the challenge of sustainability.” The minister confirmed that Teagasc is already working to accurately


identify accurate carbon sequestration levels on Irish farms. This work will be carried out as quickly and effectively as possible. Significantly, Minister McConalogue expressed the view that Irish


farmers should be allowed to independently trade carbon credits based on the proven levels of sequestration taking place within their own businesses. But the minister was also keen to point out that producing food will remain an absolute priority for Irish agriculture. He said: “The world will need ever-increasing amounts of food


over the coming years. And Ireland is perfectly placed to help meet this requirement. Retaining our capacity to produce food in the most sustainable way possible remains a priority for the Irish government. Given this backdrop, it has always been part of the national plan to ensure that livestock numbers were retained at current levels.” When asked to define what delivering improved sustainability would


actually mean at farm level over the coming years, the minister said: “We already have inherently sustainable structures in place. This is due to the fact that many thousands of farming families remain at the very heart of Irish agriculture. It’s a case of building on all of this for the future.” Minister McConalogue concluded: “This Climate Bill is the platform


that can allow Ireland to provide strategic leadership on climate change matters. Farmers and the land-use sector are already contributing to the national effort to address the climate challenge. “Irish farmers have shown leadership in this area, and I am confident


that they will continue to do so.”


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