The Department welcomes the 2025 Agri-Food Strategy Public Consultation prepared by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The Department’s submission in respect of this public consultation comments on the particular matters concerning the DECLG, which relate primarily to the matters raised under Section 2 (Sustainability/Climate Change). The Department considers that many of the matters raised under Section 2 are inter-related and are also linked to the necessity of adaptation to climate change.
Section 2
In general, the Department considers the “Food Harvest 2020 – Milestones for Success 2014” referenced in the DAFM’s public consultation questionnaire to be informative in terms of submitting observations on a number of matters which are of particular relevance to the DECLG. The Department notes the content of Section 3 (‘Green’) of “Milestones for Success 2014” document, which states inter alia that
- the central issue still remains that agricultural and fishing activities have potential impacts on emissions levels, on biodiversity and on air, water and soil quality; and
- the HLIC agreed that the conclusion of the Environmental Analysis of Food Harvest 2020 report would be mainstreamed into their work programme, and that Milestones for Success 2014 and future annual reports would specifically report on environmental actions, and that actions of public bodies would take this report into account;
- agriculture is responsible for 32% of national GHG emissions; and
- notwithstanding ongoing gains in efficiency, in the absence of mitigation actions, Teagasc-FAPRI analysis projects a 12% increase in agricultural GHG emissions by 2020.
The mitigation measures relating to GHG emissions referred to in Section 3 (‘Green’) are noted. The Department is of the view that there should be no increase in GHG emissions as a result of growth targets of Food Harvest 2020 being achieved. Accordingly, the Department strongly supports the promotion of mitigation measures to ensure zero growth of GHG emissions, and supportsthe on-going and future research by Teagasc and other bodies in this area.
With regard to air quality generally, the Department is also supportive of mitigation measures which are required to reduce ammonia emissions, reference to which is contained in Food Harvest 2020 – Environment Analysis Report. In particular, the Department is supportive of continuedresearch in this area.
The recognition, set out in the “Milestones for Success 2014” document, of the need for a comprehensive approach to environmental sustainability is welcomed.
The Department notes that the “Milestones for Success 2014” document refers to the Water Framework Directive (WFD), and also to Agricultural Catchment Plan (ACP) and Nitrates Action Plan (NAP), but does not refer specifically to River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs). It is however noted that Food Harvest 2020 refers to the RBMPs, and the Department considers that the importance of RBMPs and the need to comply with same should also be contained in the 2025 Agri-Food Strategy.
With regard to transportation, the Department would like to see how sustainable transportation patterns and measures can be achieved, in tandem with achieving a low carbon economy, as part of the projected growth of the agri-food sector. In particular, the Department considers that measures which promote adaptation to climate change, such as the use of renewable energy and consequent reduction in dependency on fossil fuels, and which clearly promote sustainable transportation and travel patterns, should be set out in the 2025 Agri-Food Strategy.
Furthermore, the Department considers that the 2025 Agri-Food Strategy should take into account the Government’s Smarter Travel – A Sustainable Transport Future (2009), the overarching aim of which is that by 2020 the future population and economic growth of the state will occur predominantly in sustainable compact urban and rural areas.
Ireland’s EU obligations with regard to the use of renewable energy in transport by 2020 should also be taken into account, whereby, in brief, Ireland is obliged to ensure that by 2020, at least 16% of all energy consumed in the state is from renewable sources, with a sub-target of 10% coming from the transport sector.
With regard to bioenergy, this Department notes that the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources’ ‘Strategy for Renewable Energy: 2012- 2020’ sets out (the achievement of) “A sustainable bioenergy sector supporting renewable heat, transport and power generation” as one of its Strategic Goals.
In addition, the Department notes the content of Food Harvest 2020 – Environmental Analysis Report, which states, inter alia,
“Forestry’s contribution to the Irish economy isnoted as are the existing ambitious targets in placefor an increased rate of forestation. Forestry iskey role in the protection of biodiversity, theprovision of bioenergy as well as potential carbonsequestration and community enhancementthrough recreation are recognised. The ability offorestry and bioenergy to contribute togovernment targets in relation to renewableenergy are seen as part of that sectorscontribution to the achievement of Food Harvest2020 targets”.
The Department is of the view that the forthcoming 2025 Agri-Food Strategy should not adversely impact on the achievement of government targets in relation to renewable energy.The Department considers that the 2025 Agri-Food Strategy should demonstrate how anticipated increases in energy usage vis-à-vis the State’s obligations for renewable energy can be reconciled.
With regard to biodiversity generally, the Department is of the view that any strategic policy to expand and intensify farming/food production should take account of the requirements of Appropriate Assessment (AA).
Section 1
With regard to one of the questions set out under Section 1 of the questionnaire, which asks what the scale of ambition for the agri-food sector should be, the Department would tend to the view that the findings of any AA and environmental reports compiled as part of the preparation of the 2025 Agri-Food Strategy should inform the appropriate, i.e., maximum,level of growth for this sector.
In conclusion, the Department wishes to emphasise the importance of the principles of sustainable development being incorporated into the preparation of the 2025 Agri-Food Strategy.