Members of the public are being asked by the Department of Agriculture for their views on a climate change discussion document in preparation for the agriculture and forestry sector mitigation plan.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney asked the public and stakeholders to get involved and make submissions over the next eight weeks. " The sustainable intensification of food production requires us to develop cost effective production systems, which improve competitiveness, profitability and product quality, while minimising the impact on the environment," he said.

A discussion document for a sectoral adaptation plan is also being prepared by the Department and will be open to public consultation in the coming weeks.

The mitigation plan discussion document is available on the Department’s website and submissions can be sent by email to climatechange@agriculture.gov.ie. The deadline for receipt of submissions is Monday 23 March.

Climate and agriculture

Agriculture is hugely affected by any climate change legislation in Ireland and the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development bill will define Irish policy on climate change for the next 35 years.

Register to more about the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development bill here