Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 October 2025
760. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on his Department’s development of a system for the monitoring and reporting of methane reducing feed and manure ingredients, as committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2025 and due in Quarter 4 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55523/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder EU Law (Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003) feed additives must undergo a rigorous safety assessment before being placed on the market. This legislation ensures the protection of human health, animal health and the environment. All feed additives intended for use in animal nutrition must receive a favourable opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) before being considered for authorisation by the European Commission for their use and placing on the market. The European Commission decides whether to grant or deny the authorisation of feed additives through an Implementing Regulation. In doing so, the Commission is assisted by Member States (including Ireland) within the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed – Animal Nutrition. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine represents Ireland at this Standing Committee.
In April 2022, 3-Nitroxypropanol (trade name Bovaer) was authorised by the European Commission as a methane-reducing feed additive for use in feed for dairy cows and cows for reproduction. There are currently no other methane-reducing feed additives authorised for use in the EU.
In addition, the EPA has established a consultative group to evaluate the science underpinning new technologies to reduce greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. The group will evaluate a broad range of new technologies, including feed additives and technologies with the potential to reduce emissions from stored animal manures. The evaluations will be based on peer reviewed scientific literature to determine the potential mitigation of these new technologies and the requirements to facilitate inclusion in Ireland’s National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory.
