Agriculture can lead the way in generating sustainable energy – Doyle Fine Gael TD for Wicklow/East Carlow and Chairman of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee, Andrew Doyle, has today (Friday) highlighted the challenge and opportunities for the agriculture sector presented by the need to reduce carbon emissions and reach the 2020 emission targets. The 2020 targets of the climate and energy package are also headline targets of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. This reflects the recognition that tackling the climate and energy challenge contributes to the creation of jobs, the generation of “green” growth and a strengthening of Europe’s competitiveness. Deputy Doyle was speaking in today’s debate on the Climate Change Bill in Dail Eireann.
“The current debate on climate change has brought us to a point where we are focusing on the ways and means we can reduce the impact on the global environment. As a result, we have to focus on how we can provide food to an increasing world population and do so in a sustainable way. This in itself is a good thing, as I believe strongly that this is a huge opportunity for Ireland as a food exporting nation with renewable potential, and to be a leader in this area.
With an increasing population, and a finite resource, the methods of production must focus on sustainable processes. This presents all of us in the agricultural sector with the challenge to adapt to the new realities. Instead of shirking away from this challenge I believe we should meet it head again because I believe that the need for green, renewable energy presents major opportunities for the agricultural sector. We have binding targets for the year 2020, and beyond which must be hit.
“There are numerous successful international examples of how sustainably sourced energy can provide practical solutions and contribute to the economy. The bus system in Stockholm runs on fuel generated by ethanol produced from grass and slurry. This biogas fuel system has acquired its own biogas filling station, with a direct gas line from the sewage treatment plant. Unglamorous as this may be, it is an excellent example of how alternative energy can save us money and help us reduce our carbon emissions.
“There is significant scope for the creation of fuel from crops. Farmers in the United States have done extremely well by growing ethanol which can be used for fuel. The big challenge is to marry this with food production, and I believe this is entirely possible.
Our future agricultural system should depend less on chemical fertilisers and focus more on crop rotation. I believe we should also draw on the improved genetic and nutritional advances for animals and plants.
“I believe that there is an opportunity here for the agricultural sector and I hope that this Government can help the agriculture sector to adapt and capitalise on this opportunity.”