Coveney Launches Public Consultation Process on the Food Harvest 2020 Environmental Analysis Report and the Development of an Agriculture Sectoral Low Carbon Roadmap

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today launched a public consultation process on the draft report of the environmental analysis of Food Harvest 2020, and the preparation of an agriculture sectoral low carbon roadmap.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine appointed independent external consultants in April 2012 to undertake an analysis and prepare a report on the likely environmental impacts which might result from the implementation of the Food Harvest 2020 targets.

The outcome of this analysis will be important in informing the development of future policy in the agriculture sector and the sectoral ambition as envisaged under Food Harvest 2020. Submissions are invited on the draft report which is available on the Department’s website at: http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/agri-foodindustry/foodharvest2020/

Under the outline Heads of Climate Action and Low Carbon Bill, which have been published by the Minister of the Environment, Community and Local Government, it is provided that (inter alia) a sectoral roadmap for agriculture will be developed as part of a process leading to a National Low Carbon Roadmap. The Department Agriculture, Food and the Marine has initiated work on the preparation of the agriculture sectoral roadmap and also invites submissions in this regard. The outline of the Heads of Bill may be found at: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Environment/ClimateChange/FileDownLoad,32468,en.pdf  [pdf, 267kB]

Submissions (not exceeding 10 pages in length) should be sent by
email to envanalysis@agriculture.gov.ie  or by
post to Climate Change Section, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine,
Johnstown Castle Estate,
Wexford.