Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has said that if a person wants to be fed, whether they are vegan, vegetarian or meat-eating, then they must have a carbon footprint.

Sequestration is a fabulous-sounding word. How is it spelled? T-R-E-E-S

He said that if all the negative commentary targeted at agriculture was believed, it would give the impression that food could be produced without greenhouse gases.

Minister Creed made the comments when addressing the Seanad on efforts by Irish agriculture to tackle emissions.

Challenge

“The main point I wish to communicate, not only to Senators but also to the listening public, is that Irish agriculture, in all its iterations inside and outside the farm, is up for that challenge.”

He said there was a wider context in which that challenge must be met.

“The Department's strategy is for our food production, whether in dairy, beef or any other commodity, to be as carbon efficient as possible and aspire to being global leaders in respect of carbon emissions per kilogramme of output of whatever commodity,” he said.

Criticism

Minister Creed faced criticism from a number of Senators, including David Norris, who said he found the Minister’s speech to be “unconvincing blather”.

Norris said: “It is as if the Minister, in a situation of war with bombs falling, missiles landing and poison gas everywhere, is putting his nose outside the house wondering whether to take an umbrella.”

Minister Creed assured senators that if it were not for “the enormity of Brexit”, the climate agenda would be front and centre of all the Department’s deliberations.

Forestry and fertility

In a wide-ranging address, the Minister gave his thoughts on forestry and soil fertility, which were points raised by several senators.

“Sequestration is a fabulous-sounding word. How is it spelled? T-R-E-E-S. We need to grow more trees; it is as simple as that.

"We cannot talk, on the one hand, about sequestration and the need for it, while, on the other hand, sending a negative message about forestry,” he said.

On soil management, he said there was an over-application of chemical fertiliser and an inadequate application of organic fertiliser and lime.

He said it may be necessary to transition to “compulsory soil-testing at some stage”.

He said this data could be used to ascertain the appropriate level of chemical fertiliser to apply and maximise soil fertility.

Read more

‘Time for Government to act on Teagasc climate plan’ - IFA

Listen: climate policy must ‘protect and enhance’ agriculture – Naughton