Cathal Buckley

Measuring progress in agricultural sustainability to support policy-making

The concept of sustainability is one of the forefront issues in discussions of the challenges facing global agriculture, given the mounting pressure to increase food production in both socially responsible and environmentally friendly ways. From the perspective of Irish agriculture, sustainable intensification is of particular relevance, given ambitious targets to increase milk production in the context of European Union (EU) milk quota removal in 2015. A series of farm-level sustainability indicators are developed here using the Teagasc National Farm Survey FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network) data for Ireland from 2012. Three dimensions, reflecting the multifaceted nature of sustainability (environmental, economic and social) are considered. Given the environmental challenges inherent in the sustainable intensification of agriculture, it is encouraging to observe that the more intensive, top performing farms (in an economic sense) emit relatively less greenhouse gases when compared to their less intensive counterparts. Conversely, the better performing farms in economic terms tend to have a higher nitrogen surplus per hectare on average. This is consistent with their higher rates of production intensity, but poses a challenge in terms of sustainable intensification and expansion. That said this analysis demonstrates that the nitrogen use efficiency of milk production is positively correlated with economic performance, with more intensive farms producing relatively more milk per kilogram of nitrogen surplus. From the perspective of social sustainability, demographic traits also tend to be positively correlated with economic performance. Given a growing recognition of the need for interconnected policy in the area of sustainability, this research should help inform policy debates and provides a guide for the undertaking of similar assessments elsewhere.

The development of farm-level sustainability indicators for Ireland using the Teagasc National Farm Survey

Abstract In the context of an expanding, export-dependent agri-food sector, indicators of sustainable development and intensification are necessary to measure, assess and verify the comparative advantage afforded by Ireland’s natural pastoral-based food production systems. Such indicators are also necessary to ensure that we produce more food with less adverse impacts on the Irish environment, climate and society. This article outlines the development of farm-level indicators that refect the multifaceted nature of sustainability, which is encompassed in economic, environmental and social indicators. The role of innovation in farm sustainability was also examined. A comparison of indicators across Irish farm systems showed that dairy farms, followed by tillage farms, tended to be the most economically and socially sustainable farm systems. In relation to greenhouse gas emissions in particular, the top-performing dairy farms, in an economic sense, also tended to be the best-performing farms from an environmental sustainability perspective. This trend was also evident in relation to the adoption of innovative practices on farm, which was found to be strongly correlated with economic performance.

Land use: catchment management

Freshwater is a scarce and valuable resource (FAO, 2011). Conservation and equitable distribution of freshwater is therefore critical to sustaining ecosystem services and global food production (Rockstrom et al., 2009). Agriculture uses 70% of global freshwater and so optimizing water use through advanced irrigation, farm, and food processing systems is paramount to meeting the globally increasing demands for food, particularly in the face of a changing climate. With the quantity of freshwater available, all human activities affect the quality of freshwater resources, and degradation of water quality in turn increases the scarcity of freshwater (Peters and Meybeck, 2000). Impaired water quality also limits ecosystem services, and human welfare and livelihood (Ongley, 1996; FAO, 2011). Poor water quality can cause loss of aquatic and riparian biodiversity, ecosystem stability and recreation value, poor human health (e.g., due to unsanitary drinking water and toxins from harmful algal blooms), physical disruption to water supply systems, shellfish contamination, fish kills, and reduced aquaculture production (Carpenter et al., 1998; Schindler, 2006; Withers and Haygarth, 2007; Kay et al., 2009).

A review of water quality policies in relation to public good benefits and community engagement in rural Ireland

Abstract This paper examines current recreational water use in the rural landscape in Ireland and reviews current EU policies and national regulations aimed at protecting water quality and the wider environment under agri-environmental schemes. Specifically, we review policy instruments that protect water for recreational use, their impacts and the challenges they pose for rural development against current requirements to increase public awareness and participation. In Ireland, there is limited experience in public participation in water quality protection and restoration and we highlight how this can be addressed by focussing on the specific contribution of water quality in rural areas in relation to the provision of recreational ecosystem services. These services provide the infrastructure for much of Ireland’s rural tourism sector. In this context, emerging participatory approaches to policy implementation are also assessed as national and local government prioritise community engagement for the second cycle under the EU Water Framework Directive.