The conference is part of an important gathering of the global research community working together as part of the GRA. The GRA has 68 member countries committed to research collaboration in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring food security.
For 18 months (from January 1, 2025), Ireland will chair the GRA for the first time since joining in 2009. Commenting on this, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon said: “I see agriculture very much as a solution when it comes to climate change. Ireland’s food sector is a leader internationally in sustainable food systems. As chair of the GRA, we will continue this international leadership role in driving research and developing innovative technologies and practices that farmers can use to reduce emissions while at the same time, supporting resilient and secure food systems.”
Special representative of the GRA, Dr Harry Clark, welcomed Ireland’s leadership, saying: “International collaboration is essential in addressing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Recently, a global effort involving over 60 researchers in the feed and nutrition network of the GRA published ground-breaking technical guidelines on feed additives for methane mitigation. This demonstrates the value of the GRA, and Ireland’s expertise and commitment to science in this area will be instrumental in helping the GRA to build on outputs such as this.”
Agricultural climate conference
Ireland will also host a major national conference focusing on agriculture’s role in mitigating climate change, bringing together national and international policy makers, researchers, advisors, farmers, industry leaders and others. Minister Heydon said: “This important national agricultural climate conference will take place in Dublin Castle on Thursday, June 5. This will build on a similar previous conference held in November 2023 at the Aviva Stadium and hosting the conference alongside a meeting of the Council of the GRA underscores our commitment to leading global efforts in sustainable agriculture.”