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 2020Agricultural 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 lowestcarbon-footprints, internationally”.

Q: Which statement is true?Q: Which statement is true?

ANSWER: both statements are trueANSWER: 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: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/analysis/external/livestock-gas/full_text_en.pdf

Carbon Footprint of Milk (EU report)Carbon Footprint of Milk (EU report)

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)Carbon Footprint of Beef (EU report)

No room for complacency

Teagasc GHG Working Group

2011: “now” 2012: 2020 2013: 2050

http://www.teagasc.ie/publications/

MACC (IPCC)

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

Efficiency = low carbon = profit

http://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2013/3042/SustainabilityReport.pdf

Efficiency = low carbon = profit

Efficiency = low carbon = profit