demands on land use in ireland: greenhouse gases, soils, agro-ecology rpo schulte, re creamer, g...
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Demands on Land Use in Ireland:
Greenhouse gases, soils, agro-ecology
RPO Schulte, RE Creamer, G Lanigan, D O’hUallachain
Previous presentation
Agricultural policy framework
• Food Harvest 2020Agricultural policy framework
• Food Harvest 2020
Environmental policies
• GHG policy framework
• Nitrates
• WFD
• National Biodiversity Plan
• Cross Compliance + Greening
• Sewage Sludge + Pesticides Directives
• New Land Use Directive proposed
• Etc, etc
Environmental policies
• GHG policy framework
• Nitrates
• WFD
• National Biodiversity Plan
• Cross Compliance + Greening
• Sewage Sludge + Pesticides Directives
• New Land Use Directive proposed
• Etc, etc
How can we ensure that we meet all targets?
Environmental policies
• GHG policy framework
• Nitrates
• WFD
• National Biodiversity Plan
• Cross Compliance + Greening
• Sewage Sludge + Pesticides Directives
• New Land Use Directive proposed
• Etc, etc
Environmental policies
• GHG policy framework
• Nitrates
• WFD
• National Biodiversity Plan
• Cross Compliance + Greening
• Sewage Sludge + Pesticides Directives
• New Land Use Directive proposed
• Etc, etc
Greenhouse gases: “The Irish Paradox”
- Little heavy industry- Small population compared to national herd- Agriculture = important to economy- Predominantly ruminant farming= Reflection of soils & climate
“In Ireland, agriculture accounts for a much larger share of national emissions than in other countries”.
“Irish agriculture has one of the lowestcarbon-footprints, internationally”.
Q: Which statement is true?Q: Which statement is true?
ANSWER: both statements are trueANSWER: both statements are true
Greenhouse gases: good starting position
TRUE OR FALSE?
1. “Agriculture accounts for a much larger share of Irish emissions (31%) than in other countries (9%)”.
2. “Irish agriculture has one of the lowest carbon-footprints, internationally”.
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/analysis/external/livestock-gas/full_text_en.pdf
Carbon Footprint of Milk (EU report)Carbon Footprint of Milk (EU report)
Greenhouse gases: good starting position
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/analysis/external/livestock-gas/full_text_en.pdf
Carbon Footprint of Beef (EU report)Carbon Footprint of Beef (EU report)
MACC (IPCC)
Conclusion:
It is possible to achieve Food Harvest 2020 targets while flat-lining emissions
= decoupling of production from GHG emissions
= lower carbon-footprint of produce
Efficiency = low carbon = profit
http://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2013/3042/SustainabilityReport.pdf