Ireland's State of the Environment Report 2024

245 Chapter 10: Environment and Agriculture Realising dynamic, sustainable and resilient agri-food and land systems in Ireland will require the development of integrated, cross-departmental policies that recognise the interdependencies of a healthy environment, healthy people, healthy food and healthy planet. Driving the transition to a more climate-resilient and environmentally friendly agriculture sector will require vision and leadership. Urgent implementation must be a priority, and farmers and other landowners must be supported in making the changes that are needed. Some of the most important challenges affecting both the sector itself and broader society are summarised below. See Chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 15 for further detail. ■ Environmental impact. The intensification of livestock farming, in particular the dairy sector, in response to ambitious growth policies has contributed to increased environmental degradation in Ireland. Over the last decade there has been an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, water pollution from agricultural run-off and leaching, and habitat destruction. While there has been some stabilisation in recent years, and improvements in some areas, addressing these environmental impacts is crucial, not least for producing nutritious sustainable food and maintaining Ireland’s green economic trading credentials. The current agri-environmental policies, and/or their rates of implementation, are not yet achieving the desired environmental outcomes. ■ Climate change and emissions. The agriculture sector contributes 38% of Ireland’s national greenhouse gas emissions. The key drivers are the size of the national cattle herd and the application rates of nitrogen fertilisers. While both have increased over the last decade, there has been some stabilisation in animal numbers in recent years and significant reductions in chemical fertiliser use. Full implementation of the measures outlined in the Teagasc MACC 2023, which will require additional policy measures to support implementation, will be required to reach the 25% emission reduction target by 2030. The agriculture sector is also a significant contributor to emissions attributed to the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector, which is a net source of emissions in Ireland. Key measures include substantial afforestation of Ireland’s grassland- dominated landscape, and water table management and restoration are both actions that need to be undertaken in peat soils. ■ Climate change adaptation. Ireland’s agriculture sector is vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including changes in rainfall patterns, extreme weather events and rising temperatures. These factors can affect crop yields, fodder reserves, livestock and plant health, increase disease risk, and reduce overall farm productivity, which in turn could increase economic pressures and have negative impacts on farmers’ health and wellbeing. Adaptation strategies are necessary to make agriculture more resilient and reduce its contribution to climate change. Such strategies could include diversification, planting drought-tolerant species, flood prevention/ management, management of new pests and diseases, and nature-based catchment management solutions. Different adaptation strategies may be needed in different parts of the country depending on how they are affected by the weather. ■ Land use and biodiversity loss. Agricultural practices such as land intensification and drainage have resulted in habitat loss and reduced biodiversity levels. Land abandonment can also be an issue in some areas, as can commercial afforestation with non- native species in sensitive upland areas. Native species, both flora and fauna, have suffered as a consequence. Maintaining and restoring biodiversity in agricultural landscapes is essential for ecosystem resilience and long-term sustainability. ■ Water quality. Agricultural activities, particularly animal manure management and fertiliser use, contribute to water pollution in Ireland. Excess nutrient run-off, i.e. nitrogen and phosphorus, can lead to eutrophication, which negatively affects water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Pesticides and other chemicals reaching watercourses are a problem in some areas, as are activities that impact on the physical aquatic habitat conditions. Better farm management practices that work in tandem with nature and climatic conditions, in ways that build resilience into the system, are needed to minimise impacts to water quality. ■ Farm viability and rural communities. Many farmers in Ireland face economic challenges, including low farm incomes, fluctuating commodity prices, and high and fluctuating production costs. Farmers are price takers, and small-scale farmers in particular struggle to remain financially viable, which in turn threatens the social structures underpinning our food system. Generational renewal is becoming increasingly challenging. Ensuring fair economic returns for farmers that reflect the true cost of food production and deliver a standard of living that is comparable with other sectors, while providing support for rural development, is important for sustaining agriculture and rural livelihoods. It is also becoming increasingly important to recognise and support the growing number of non-farming landholders to maximise the ecosystem services from their land.