Classic example of conflicting national targets in Food Harvest

THE implications of the Food Harvest expansion targets for greenhouse gas emissions have also been considered by Kevin Hanrahan and Trevor Donnellan from the Teagasc economic modelling team.

Ireland has a target to reduce emissions by 20%, compared to 1990. Agriculture in Ireland accounts for 28% of greenhouse gas emissions (only in New Zealand is the ratio higher), amounting to 17.5 million tonnes of carbon, having reduced by about 12% compared to 1990.

Further emission reduction is expected in the 28% increase in milk supply scenario because the increased greenhouse gas emissions from the dairy herd would be offset by declining emissions from the beef herd.