On Wednesday the Government published its White Paper on Ireland’s energy future. Agriculture has for too long been viewed as a problem in the climate change debate and not a solution. While the outcome of the Paris deal has provided breathing space for the sector, we need to continue to be innovative in how we use our land to reduce and/or offset carbon emissions. Diverting cattle slurries into anaerobic digestion has been shown not only to add value to farm output but also to deliver environmental gains through reduced ammonia emissions. It is time to seriously look at what structures need to be put in place to properly align our renewable energy policy to our agriculture sector in a way that delivers economic benefits for rural Ireland. The first major indication of real commitment to both the renewable heat and renewable energy sectors in rural Ireland will be the new incentives and supports due to be published in early 2016.

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