Teagasc and NUIG join forces to cut emissions

An NUI Galway and Teagasc ‘Strategic Research and Training Alliance on Carbon-Neutral Agriculture’ will target cuts in greenhouse gas emissions from milk and meat production.

Dr Frank O’Mara, Teagasc director of research, said: “The PhD researcher programme between NUIG and Teagasc will have tailor-made modules on Irish Agri-Food, Agri- Sus tainability, Agri-Business and Agri-Communications delivered jointly by Teagasc and NUI Galway staff.”

Targets to dramatically grow Irish agri-food output by 2020/25 may see Ireland exceed its GHG emissions targets, triggering major fines.

Recent global analyses suggest current agri interventions to cut GHG emissions will only deliver 21-40% of global targets.

The Teagasc and NUIG’s alliance will use research to promote transformative technical policy options.

Prof Charles Spillane, head of NUI Galway PABC, said: “Climate change concerns and dietary guideline drivers are major challenges for agri-food, notably for high carbon-foot print milk and meat products.

"There is a need for NUIG, Teagasc and our partners across Ireland to develop next generation innovations to reduce the carbon- footprint of agriculture.”