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Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Science
- Irish Examiner
Call for stronger farm supports as Ireland takes leadership role in climate-smart agriculture
Department-funded research unveiled at the Dublin conference dedicated to addressing the intricate relationship between agriculture and climate change has revealed a calcium-peroxide-based feed additive that can cut indoor methane emissions by 10-28%, depending on diet, inclusion rate, and animal type. Notably, one study showed that RumenGlas was linked to a 12% improvement in growth rate and feed efficiency, alongside a 10% reduction in methane emissions - the first time this dual benefit has been observed in Ireland. Since 2020, the Department of Agriculture has invested over €48m in research to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farming. This includes 28 active projects and 132 research positions created in 2023–2024. The conference, titled 'Agriculture and Climate Change: Science into Action' took place at Dublin Castle. Hosted by minister for agriculture, food and the marine, Martin Heydon, and minister of state with responsibility for research, Noel Grealish, it included 500 delegates who heard from national and international scientists on the latest research to reduce agricultural emissions and enhance carbon storage on farms across the country. It takes place alongside a meeting of the Global Research Alliance for Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, which Ireland, through the department, is currently chairing. In his opening address, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the conference represented building a "shared path forward", and one that "ensures the next generation of farmers inherits not only a liveable planet but also a thriving, competitive, and respected agricultural sector". He said: The transition to climate-smart agriculture does not need to be a burden. It is a chance to safeguard what matters most — our land, our water, our food, our planet and our future. It is a chance to show that climate action and agricultural excellence can go hand in hand — and that Irish farmers can lead the way. Addressing attendees, minister Heydon said: 'Reducing emissions from agriculture is a monumental challenge, but one that the sector is taking seriously, evidenced by the huge interest in today's conference. 'We have assembled some of the best national and international researchers, whose findings are providing the practices and technologies we need to reduce emissions, while continuing to produce food. Research funding from my department has supported world-leading agri-climate research in universities, Teagasc and other institutes across the country. "In 2023 and 2024, this funding created 132 new research positions in agriculture and climate research across 28 projects. This ensures we have some of the best research talent in the world working on these complex scientific areas. 'This conference will see a wide range of exciting research updates, including, for example, Irish research demonstrating the potential for a 10-28% reduction in methane from a feed additive, depending on the animal type, diet, and the inclusion rate of the additive. "In addition, and for the first time in Ireland, one study has demonstrated both an animal performance benefit from feeding the additive, as well as its ability to reduce methane. The challenge going forward is to bring these tools into widespread use on Irish farms – and to do that, we are working with farmers every step of the way. "Our farmers are innovators and are ready to lead on climate action – not just for Ireland, but as an example to the world.' Other research highlighted at the conference included new data from the department-funded ROADMAP project suggests genetic selection can reduce methane emissions by up to 20% with no compromise on desirable traits like growth or fertility, and big climate gains from bio-stimulants and fertiliser technologies. For example, an algal-based bio-stimulant could lower chemical nitrogen needs by 20%, while protected urea and nitrification inhibitors can cut grassland emissions by 70–89%. However, speaking at the conference, farm organisations warned that farmers needed to be adequately supported to meet the ambitious goals set out in climate targets. Irish Farmers' Association president Francie Gorman said: 'There are lots of targets, reports, projections, documents, conferences, etc, but no properly-funded plan to support farmers to reduce emissions or even to reduce the regulatory roadblocks hindering farmers trying to make environmental improvements on their farms. Examples of this include a biomethane strategy which is not fit for purpose; delays in implementing planning exemptions for nutrient storage; delays in ACRES payments; failure to properly support the tillage sector; a totally failed forestry programme; and an absence of initiatives to support the adoption of feed or slurry additives. 'The vast majority of farmers on the ground are committed to reducing emissions, but our planning system and the general unwillingness of the State to put proper supports in place is inhibiting them more than helping them,' he said. Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association president, Denis Drennan, said that despite massive challenges, Irish farmers were "completely engaged" in efforts to address climate change, and the results and data were now showing the fruits of those efforts. However, Mr Drennan stressed that farmers needed reassurance that those plans still rested on 'the three pillars' of sustainability - economic, environmental, and social. 'There are challenges ahead that will have to be faced and even leaving aside the very significant and unfair anomalies in the accountancy framework used for measuring emissions, the most obvious challenge is the ongoing failure of Government to 'step up' and support farmers in their efforts to carry through the changes that the Government itself is urging on the farmers," he said. "It's this failure of the Government to support its own policies and recommendations that is hampering even more encouraging results and data. 'Irish agriculture is leading the way globally in meeting the climate challenge, and ICMSA believes that farmers can, and will, do more if properly supported. But that's going to mean that policymakers stop overlooking the daily and real obstacles to farmers as they adopt and change and start 'going at' these obstacles in a meaningful way, whether it's destructive income volatility or animal health or margin-grabbing and unfair corporate and professional practices. "The Government has a choice: Work with farmers to make more progress or ultimately pay the fines that will be levied because Ireland falls short on the emissions targets that could have been hit if we'd had the support. "That's the choice, really, and Budget 2026 is where we'll see if the Government understands that choice and has made a decision that is logical on both the environmental and financial fronts," he said. Read More Demo farm reports 32% lower emissions with more profitable cattle
Agriland
2 days ago
- Health
- Agriland
Report shows environmental dimension of antimicrobial resistance
The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) with responsibility for research and development, Noel Grealish has today (June 11) launched a report entitled 'Ireland's First Gap Analysis Report on Research needs in Relation to Antimicrobial Resistance'. Minister of State Grealish launched the report alongside the Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for public health, wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor. The report by researchers from Maynooth University provides a comprehensive review of previous and ongoing research in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across human and animal health in the Republic of Ireland from 2017 to 2023. It also provides an update on research in relation to the environmental dimension of AMR in an Irish context from April 2021 to December 2023. According to DAFM, antimicrobial resistance or AMR is a global threat and an urgent challenge. It poses a significant risk to human health and requires a collaborative multidisciplinary approach to promote actions across the human, animal and environmental sectors to achieve the best health outcomes for all three sectors. Report Ireland has adopted a cross departmental 'One Health' approach to AMR, led by the Department of Health and DAFM. The report shows that Irish researchers have been to the global forefront of ongoing research on AMR. However, Irish research requires considerable expansion in research areas for novel diagnostics/therapeutics and vaccines. The report also indicates that Irish research needs to focus on providing solutions or alternatives to the identified AMR problems to minimise the impact of AMR to human, animal, and environmental health. Minister of State Grealish said: 'This timely report highlights the need for more research that examines One Health in its entirety, in relation to the complexity of the intersectoral interactions and how these interactions contribute to AMR. 'In a world of increasing uncertainty, complexity and change, a One Health approach is crucial to safeguard the interests of society as a whole,' the minister added.
Agriland
20-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
EU-UK deal will end need for almost 80k vet export certs
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, along with Ministers of State Timmy Dooley, Noel Grealish and Michael Healy-Rae, have welcomed the outcome of yesterday's EU-UK summit for Ireland's agri-food and fisheries sectors. The first major post-Brexit deal between the EU and the UK is set to make food and drink imports and exports 'easier' thanks to a new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreement on plant and animal products. The SPS agreement will see the UK and the European Commission 'work towards establishing a Common Sanitary and Phytosanitary Area'. This would result in the 'vast majority of movements of animals, animal products, plants, and plant products between Great Britain and the European Union' being undertaken without the certificates or controls that are currently required. Commenting on the announcement, Minister Martin Heydon said: 'I strongly welcome the positive outcome of [the] EU-UK summit. 'For the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors, the agreements reached between the EU and UK are of the utmost importance, and promise a fair and stable future relationship which will benefits these sectors in Ireland and in the UK. 'Recent trade tensions have led to concerns for our farmers, fishers, and food and drink businesses. Having certainty and stability with the UK as our key trading partner will be reassuring to all those in the agri-food and marine sectors'. In relation to the commitment to a future SPS agreement, Minister Heydon commented: 'The UK remains by far the most important market for Irish agri-food exports, and we also have significant imports from the UK. 'There are long-established and mutually beneficial trading relationships between food producers in Ireland and food businesses and retailers in the UK. 'SPS, or sanitary and phytosanitary standards, relates to food safety and animal and plant health controls and standards. The commitment… towards the negotiation of an SPS agreement between the EU and the UK is very welcome,' he added. Minister Heydon added that in relation to Irish exports, a comprehensive SPS agreement would greatly reduce the administrative burden on agri-food businesses exporting to the UK. 'My department produces around 80,000 veterinary export certificates a year to accompany Irish agri-food exports to the UK,' the agriculture minister continued. 'A comprehensive SPS agreement would eliminate the requirement for almost all of these certs. In relation to imports, a comprehensive SPS agreement would remove the requirement for food safety controls and checks on agri-food imports from the UK, which are currently carried out by my department at Irish ports and airports. 'I will closely follow progress on these SPS negotiations, and I hope that they will conclude successfully in as short a period as possible,' the minister concluded. Minister of State with responsibility for food promotion, new markets and research and development, Noel Grealish commented: 'The UK is our closest and most important export market. '[The] commitment to a comprehensive SPS agreement will be of significant benefit to Irish food and drink businesses. They can now plan for a future without the current administrative burdens associated with exporting to the UK.' Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, farm safety and horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae added: 'The UK is the number one export destination for our exports of forest products and horticulture. 'I look forward to the increased opportunity that will result from an SPS agreement to reduce the burden on exporting businesses.'
Agriland
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Agriland
Taoiseach to open agriculture and climate change conference
Taoiseach Micheál Martin will open a major conference on climate change in agriculture taking place in Dublin in June. The 'Agriculture and Climate Change: Science into Action' conference will be held at Dublin Castle on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The event, hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), will have a strong emphasis on policy, scientific and implementation, with a range of national and international speakers. The conference will focus on the following areas: Policy and legislative developments relating to agriculture and climate change at national and international levels; Scientific developments and understanding in relation to the mitigation of the main greenhouse gas emissions from pasture-based livestock systems (animal, manure and land); Developments relating to customer, consumer and market expectations and expectations around sustainable agriculture, food and land use. Speakers at the event will include Dr Frank O'Mara, director of Teagasc; Laura Burke director general of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Marie Donnelly, chair of the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC). Ireland, through the department of agriculture, is currently chairing the Global Research Alliance (GRA) for Agricultural Greenhouses Gases. Delegates attending the annual council meeting of the GRA will also be in attendance at the conference. Conference Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon and Minister of State with special responsibility for research and development, Noel Grealish have today (Tuesday, April 29) announced the programme and the opening of registration for the conference. Registration for the event is open until Friday, May 30, 2025. 'The agriculture sector has been set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of the national effort to reach climate neutrality,' Minister Heydon said. 'I have witnessed the great work being done by farmers the length and breadth of the country, whether its reducing fertiliser use, embracing grass/clover swards, improving animal genetics, or sequestering and storing carbon in soil. 'But we can build further on this by adopting measures emerging from research, much of it funded by my department,' he added. Minister of State Noel Grealish said that DAFM has invested over €48 million in climate and agriculture research. 'Coupled with our international research collaboration and partnerships, such as those with the Global Research Alliance, we are seeing continuous scientific advancements that can provide farmers with the tools they need to farm more sustainably into the future. 'It is timely that our stakeholders are updated on these ongoing developments,' he said. The ministers encouraged all stakeholders in the agriculture, food, forest and bio-based sectors to register for the conference.
