Minister’s claim about more efficient dairy production doesn’t stand up to scrutiny
SIR, Ireland’s dairy-related greenhouse gas emissions are skyrocketing in lock-step with the rapidly rising number of dairy cows, yet Agriculture Minister Michael Creed and his officials continue to misinform the Dáil and Oireachtas by implying otherwise. In reality, a production cap is required if dairy emissions are to be reduced to meet climate targets.
The Dáil record needs to be corrected by Minister Creed as a matter of urgency, and repeated, inaccurate claims by ministers and officials that dairy emissions have been decoupled from milk production need to be publicly retracted.
In a written answer on April 26 last Minister Creed responded to a Dáil Question from Bernard Durkan TD by stating: “In the five-year period 2012-2016, dairy cow numbers have increased by 22% and corresponding milk production by 27% while emissions increased just 8% demonstrating a level of decoupling is occurring.”
Minister Creed used these statistics to claim they indicate a large improvement in dairy efficiency, as though the 8% emissions figure relates directly to the 22% and 27% figures for cow numbers and milk production. This is demonstrably incorrect. The 8% rise has occurred in total agriculture emissions so it cannot and must not be used as a figure for the rise in total dairy emissions in the way implied in this statement by Minister Creed.
In fact, EPA data indicates dairy CO2 emissions went up 24% from 2012 to 2016, which is strongly coupled with the 22% increase in dairy cow numbers and 27% milk production increase. An Taisce’s analysis is confirmed in a recent EPA presentation showing the large rise in dairy emissions and minimal change in dairy efficiency.
Therefore, there is evidence that no significant decoupling of milk production from emissions has occurred and there has been little if any change in dairy efficiency between 2012-2016. Indeed, there has been little change in efficiency since 2009, the year before the dairy expansion plan was announced.
An Taisce wrote to the Minister on May 2 pointing out the above error and requesting that he correct the Dáil record. A reply was finally received on June 5 after multiple follow-up requests.
In his response to An Taisce, Minister Creed stated: “The 8% increase in emissions I referred to is the growth in total agricultural emissions and reflects that while dairy numbers (and emissions) are increasing, other sub sectors of agriculture are contracting. It is valid to consider the sector as a whole in presenting this data”.
It seems Minister Creed agrees that he used ‘ total agricultural emissions’ rise of 8%, in a sentence in his written answer claiming decoupling of emissions from production. He now wants to claim that the use of 8% instead of 24% is “valid”. By not correcting this statement, it seems the Minister is willing to mislead the Dáil. This would be unacceptable behaviour for a Government minister.
Sincerely,
John Gibbons,
An Taisce Climate Change Committee.