Reduction in cattle-slaughter age a key target of Climate Action Plan

Reducing the slaughter age of beef cattle, and a reduction in the age at first calving of suckler beef cows are two of a range of measures to be taken by the agriculture sector under the Climate Action Plan 2023, approved by Cabinet at the end of December. The plan also seeks to follow recommendations of the Food Vision sectoral groupings and supports land-use diversification options for livestock farmers, such as anaerobic digestion, forestry, and tillage to incentivise voluntary livestock reductions.
The plan sets out the overall actions required by the sector to achieve a 25 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030.
This includes a reduction of between three and three-and-a-half months’ (from 26 to 22-23 months) in slaughter age of cattle; reducing chemical nitrogen use to a maximum of 300,000 tonnes; increased adoption of protected urea; improved animal breeding by focusing on low-methane traits; improved animal feeding; and miscellaneous measures, including extended grazing and roll out of a methane-reducing slurry additive. Additionally, the plan targets an increase in organic farming to up to 450,000 hectares (ha), and an increase in the area of tillage to up to 400,000ha. Commenting, Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, said: “In agriculture, the focus is on reducing nitrogen and methane emissions, while increasing carbon capture and storage and contributing in a positive way to the decarbonisation of the energy system.
“We need to accelerate progress through reduced application of nitrogen-based fertilisers, replacing them with protected urea and reducing the age of cattle finishing.”
Reacting to the Climate Action Plan, Irish Farmers’ Association president, Tim Cullinan, said: “A lot of further engagement is needed with farmers to achieve emissions reductions while developing the sector.
“The world needs more food and Irish farmers all well placed to produce food in an environmentally efficient manner. We are committed to reducing emissions, but it cannot be at the expense of farmers’ livelihoods or by reducing output,” he said.
“The debate has become unnecessarily divisive with far too much focus on cattle numbers. The focus must be on reducing emissions, not on reducing cattle numbers,” he added.
He said the introduction of methane-reducing feed additives to our grass-based system must be expedited, and other technological advancements must be embraced.
“It must be remembered that farmers are citizens too, and they and their families will have to adapt to the changes in the transport and energy sector,” he said.