Hogan wants EU land-use agreement

“The policy gap in relation to land use is a matter of increasing concern for Ireland and the EU”, warned Environment Minister Phil Hogan, when he recently expressed concern at the potential cost of a 40% EU-wide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, which is at the nucleus of EU proposals released in January.

After meeting European Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard, Mr Hogan said: “we cannot enter into legally-binding mitigation targets for the post-2020 period without resolving this long-outstanding issue.”

Mr Hogan indicated conditional Irish support for the proposals, but said clarification was required on key issues, such as the Commission’s analysis of the projected economic cost for Ireland, and how emissions related to agriculture and land use across the EU would be treated after 2020.

“The Commissioner is aware of the importance of the agriculture and food sectors in Ireland, both in terms of their contribution to the Irish economy and our national commitment to sustainable food production.

The greenhouse-gas reduction proposals are on the agenda at this week’s ‘heads of state and government’ European Council meeting. Speaking after a meeting with Mr Hogan, IFA president, Eddie Downey, said: “The forthcoming climate laws must be about driving improved efficiency and returns for farm-ers, not meaningless and divisive sectoral targets”.

He welcomed the Minister’s assurances that climate laws would not restrict the sustainable growth of the sector.

Mr Downey said: “Farmers in Ireland have a proven, and undisputed, record of producing some of the most emission efficient food in the world.

“This is a key strength, which has the ability to drive future demand for our produce inter-nationally.

“Minister Hogan’s under-standing of this is important.”