A 10% cut in methane from livestock by 2030, a 55,000t cut in chemical nitrogen and the setting aside of 10% of farmed land for biodiversity by 2030.

These are some of the headline figures outlined in a draft copy of the agri-food strategy to 2030 seen by the Irish Farmers Journal.

The strategy has been compiled by the Department of Agriculture using input from farm organisations, Teagasc and other industry stakeholders.

Key targets in the strategy

  • Climate-neutral agriculture sector by 2050, with substantial verifiable progress by 2030.
  • Water quality - agriculture will reduce nutrient losses to water by 50% by 2030.
  • Biodiversity - 10% of farmed area prioritised for biodiversity and 30% of marine protected areas by 2030.
  • Air quality - reduce ammonia emissions below 107,500t by 2030.
  • Methane from livestock to reduce

    There is to be a biogenic methane (methane from livestock) reduction of between 24% and 47% by 2050, with an interim target of a minimum 10% reduction by 2030.

    The draft strategy says that the role of innovation and research will be crucial to driving down greenhouse gases (GHG) and ammonia emission.

    It said that research into novel feed additives to reduce the level of biogenic methane emissions should be prioritised.

    Nitrogen use

    Annual chemical nitrogen use is not to exceed 325,000t by 2030 under the strategy. Current chemical nitrogen use is 380,500t, so this implies a cut of 55,500t is needed in nitrogen use by 2030.

    10% of land for biodiversity

    Some 10% of farmed land is to be prioritised for biodiversity under the draft strategy.

    The most up-to-date Central Statistics Office (CSO) data on utilised agricultural area dates from 2016 and it says there is some 4,455,800ha of farmland in the country.

    This would mean that 445,580ha would be earmarked for biodiversity - an area slightly bigger than the county of Tipperary.

    The strategy also wants to reduce the management intensity of a minimum 40,000ha of peat-based agricultural soils, with an ambition to substantially increase over the decade and genotype the entire national herd by 2030.

    National herd

    AgClimatise makes clear that an increase in the national cattle herd above current levels will jeopardise the achievement of the sector attaining climate neutrality by 2050, according to the document seen by the Irish Farmers Journal.

    The strategy plans to manager the footprint of the dairy and beef sectors. \ Philip Doyle

    “Therefore it is proposed that under the auspices of the 2030 process, detailed plans to manage the sustainable environmental footprint of the dairy and the beef sectors will be produced by Q2 2022.

    “This will take into account of their respective environmental footprints; the plans for reduction in total methane, nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions; the impact of management practices and existing technologies at farm level, as well as emerging methane and ammonia mitigation technologies; the promotion of better pasture management, including reducing chemical fertiliser use; increasing clover and multi-species pasture swards; genetics and feed additives.”

    More agri-environmental schemes

    It proposes more targeted agri-environmental schemes under Ireland’s CAP strategic plan to protect Ireland’s habitats and species.

    A programme for high nature value is proposed.

    “These schemes should include results-based actions, including payments for specific measures, drawing on the lessons from the European Innovation Partnerships.

    “Consideration should be given to the development of a dedicated programme for high nature value (HNV) farmland and to the concept of ‘regenerative agriculture’, particularly under Irish conditions, with an emphasis on improving the health and multi-functionality of soils."

    Slurry, organics and MCPA

    Some 90% of all slurry application is to be carried out by low emission equipment by 2027 and all external slurry stores are to be covered by 2027 to mitigate ammonia emissions.

    Under organic farming, the strategy plans to reach 6% of utilised agricultural area by 2030.

    The use of MCPA and other herbicides in agriculture that are affecting drinking water quality should be reduced to the maximum extent possible by implementing the principles of integrated pest management, according to the strategy.

    “Where their use is absolutely necessary, best practice use guidelines should be followed,” it said.

    The strategy also wants increased tillage, horticulture, organic and agro-forestry production.

    Revised afforestation scheme

    The strategy wants to examine options for afforestation on State-owned lands, building on initiatives from Coillte and Bord na Móna and place farmers at the centre of a new and improved afforestation scheme.

    “If afforestation targets are to be met, there needs to be greater flexibility in how trees are planted on farms in order to provide farmers with more options that complement their existing farming model,” it said.

    A revised afforestation scheme could include:

  • Farmers undertaking the strategic planting of trees to create filtration buffers, for example, which can reduce sedimentation of adjacent water courses and intercept nutrient runoff from dairy and cattle farms to protect water quality.
  • New native woodlands can provide habitat corridors for wildlife, while at the same time providing a source of domestic fuel wood.
  • Small forest areas, shelterbelts, riparian planting and continuous cover forestry.
  • Carbon farming

    The climate and carbon farming form a large part of the strategy.

    Carbon farming offers a potentially new source of income for farmers, but it is still in the early stages of development, the strategy says.

    “The Ag-Climatise roadmap proposes a pilot scheme for on-farm carbon trading to reward farmers for the public goods they are providing.

    “This should align with the proposed EU carbon farming initiative as set out in the Farm to Fork strategy, whereby a new regulatory framework for certifying carbon removals will underpin a payment to farmers.

    “In addition to public funding, multiple sources of finance will be required, including from the private sector,” it said.

    The strategy has adopted the objective of achieving a “carbon-neutral food system by 2050”, with verifiable progress achieved by 2030, encompassing emissions, biodiversity and water quality, as well as a range of other targets for forestry, fisheries, organic farming and food waste.

    It plans to carry out a feasibility study on developing a voluntary carbon trading market that also investigates the potential to use private-sector funding to support investment in carbon farming schemes that will increase sequestration and/or reduce emissions in soils, forestry and peatlands.

    Origin Green

    The metrics and evidence base from Origin Green need to be improved, it said.

    By collaborating and data sharing with the Department and other State agencies such as Teagasc, the EPA, the NPWS and others, Bord Bia will enhance its farm sustainability and quality assurance programmes.

    More farmers should be encouraged into Origin Green, the strategy says. \ Donal O' Leary

    This will be carried out “with toolkits and supports which are robust and easy to use at farm level, particularly in measuring carbon emissions, utilising the latest technologies available”.

    It said that metrics need to be market relevant and able to stand up to independent, critical scrutiny.

    “Primary producers need to see and understand a benefit from Origin Green membership, for example through improved information on their own environmental performance, policy supports and market positioning of their products.”

    A concerted effort should be made, the strategy says, to encourage farmers who are not involved in the farm assurance schemes to join.

    Stay tuned to the Irish Farmers Journal today and over the weekend for more news and analysis of the strategy.