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Minister McConalogue emphasises importance of Sustainable Livestock

Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine Charlie McConalogue TD, today emphasised the critical role sustainable livestock and animal-sourced foods must play in meeting the basic food security and nutritional demands of vulnerable groups, especially in the context of a globally increasing population. The Minister made his remarks during a High-Level Ministerial discussion at the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) headquarters in Rome, where he is attending the 1st Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation.

Welcoming FAO’s initiative in hosting this conference the Minister said that: ‘‘Sustainable livestock systems must be an integral part of our strategy to address the challenges of climate change and the impact of food systems in global warming. This conference has provided an opportunity for a balanced discussion and science-based dialogue on the importance of animal protein in sustainable healthy diets”.

Minister McConalogue yesterday took part in a panel discussion focusing on the environmental challenges of livestock production. He noted that: “Irish farmers are innovative, resilient and already committed to working together to find solutions in the face of these challenges. Our Food Vision 2030 ambition is for sustainability in all its forms, environmental, economic and social, with sustainable livestock systems as an integral part of our agri-food sector. Nationally our environmental  focus in Agriculture is on reducing emissions, increasing removals by land and forests and generating energy from Agriculture through biomass, solar on farms and the development of a biomethane industry”.

Minister McConalogue also had a productive bi-lateral meeting with FAO Director General Qu Dongyu during his visit, as well as a roundtable discussion on sustainable livestock transformation with agricultural youth students attending the Global Youth Dialogue.

ENDS

Note for Editors

For additional information: FAO Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation