Scientist predicts agri-emissions fall

REDUCING animal numbers and changing systems of production will lead to a significant drop in greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, a leading scientist declared yesterday.

Cattle flatulence is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions.

But the Agricultural Science Association conference in Sligo yesterday was told that emissions from the national dairy herd have dropped by almost 10% since 1990 as a result of a reduction in the number of dairy cows.

Professor Frank O’Mara, UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine predicted that if the productivity of dairy cows continues to increase at the same level over the coming years, the number of cows will continue to drop leading to a further reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Professor O’Mara said agricultural emissions of greenhouse gases are around 19 million tonnes per year, or about 30% of total national emissions. Methane from cattle accounts for 40% of total agricultural emissions.

As well as reducing dairy cow numbers, Professor O’Mara said Teagasc economists projected a significant fall in beef cow numbers between now and 2012 as a result of changes in EU farm policy. “The overall drop in animal numbers forms a major plank of the Government’s plan to bring emissions towards the target set in the Kyoto Protocol,” he said.

“The expectation is that this will lead to a drop of almost 10 million tonnes of emissions between 2008 and 2012,” he added.