Demands on Land Use in Ireland: Greenhouse gases, soils, agro-ecology RPO Schulte, RE Creamer, G Lanigan, D O’hUallachain

Previous presentation Agricultural policy framework Food Harvest 2020 Agricultural policy framework Food Harvest 2020 Environmental policies GHG policy framework Nitrates WFD National Biodiversity Plan Cross Compliance + Greening Sewage Sludge + Pesticides Directives New Land Use Directive proposed Etc, etc Environmental policies GHG policy framework Nitrates WFD National Biodiversity Plan Cross Compliance + Greening Sewage Sludge + Pesticides Directives New Land Use Directive proposed Etc, etc How can we ensure that we meet all targets? Environmental policies GHG policy framework Nitrates WFD National Biodiversity Plan Cross Compliance + Greening Sewage Sludge + Pesticides Directives New Land Use Directive proposed Etc, etc Environmental policies GHG policy framework Nitrates WFD National Biodiversity Plan Cross Compliance + Greening Sewage Sludge + Pesticides Directives New Land Use Directive proposed Etc, etc

Greenhouse gases: “The Irish Paradox” - Little heavy industry - Small population compared to national herd - Agriculture = important to economy - Predominantly ruminant farming = Reflection of soils & climate “In Ireland, agriculture accounts for a much larger share of national emissions than in other countries”. “Irish agriculture has one of the lowest carbon-footprints, internationally”. Q: Which statement is true? ANSWER: both statements are true

Greenhouse gases: good starting position TRUE OR FALSE? 1.“Agriculture accounts for a much larger share of Irish emissions (31%) than in other countries (9%)”. 2.“Irish agriculture has one of the lowest carbon-footprints, internationally”. Source: Carbon Footprint of Milk (EU report)

Greenhouse gases: good starting position Source: Carbon Footprint of Beef (EU report)

No room for complacency

Teagasc GHG Working Group 2011: “now”2012: :

MACC (IPCC)

Conclusion: It is possible to achieve Food Harvest 2020 targets while flat-lining emissions = decoupling of production from GHG emissions = lower carbon-footprint of produce Conclusion: It is possible to achieve Food Harvest 2020 targets while flat-lining emissions = decoupling of production from GHG emissions = lower carbon-footprint of produce

Efficiency = low carbon = profit

Efficiency = low carbon = profit