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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/analysis/external/livestock-gas/full_text_en.pdf Carbon Footprint of Milk (EU report)

5. Greenhouse gases: good starting position Source: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/analysis/external/livestock-gas/full_text_en.pdf Carbon Footprint of Beef (EU report)

6. No room for complacency

7. Teagasc GHG Working Group 2011: “now”2012: 20202013: 2050 http://www.teagasc.ie/publications/

8. MACC (IPCC)

9. 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

10. Efficiency = low carbon = profit http://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2013/3042/SustainabilityReport.pdf

11. Efficiency = low carbon = profit