Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2025
625. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department reviewed the biogenic carbon cycle from grass fed cattle in terms of emission reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36093/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s Environmental Protection Agency has overall responsibility for the management and updating of the Agricultural Emissions Inventory and reporting in accordance with our EU and international climate commitments. My Department engages regularly with the Environmental Protection Agency, Teagasc and other research institutions in refining the inventory so it accurately reflects the emissions generated from our pasture-based systems.
A significant refinement to the inventory took place in 2024 in relation to the calculation of emissions from non-dairy cattle systems. Additional elements of the production system, along with updated data from the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation were included in the Agricultural Inventory. This allowed for revised live weight and average daily weight gain data to be incorporated at a more refined level, and also tracked and accounted for the changes in finishing age in recent years. This inventory update contributed significantly to reducing the accounted emissions from the Agriculture sector by on average 1.4MtCO2eq per year.
My Department continues to support the research to develop the science behind the carbon footprint of our grass based livestock systems, and to facilitate the updating of the Agricultural Inventory with the new science.
My aim is to future proof Ireland’s Agri-Food sector for the benefit of our industry, the environment, and our farm families. It is critical that we work together to keep the agricultural sector in Ireland on a positive trajectory to achieving our climate targets.
