Minister Andrew Muir has commended the “cutting-edge research and technology” being used in the farming sector during his visit to the Netherlands.
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) minister is on the second day of his visit to Belgium and the Netherlands.
The minister travelled to Hoeven where Johan Molenaar guided him on a tour of his 67-acre farm where he saw firsthand how “cutting-edge research and technology” is being used to reduce ammonia and methane emissions from a dairy herd.
Molenaar runs a dairy enterprise with 200 cows which is part of a Network of Practical Farms across the Netherlands involving 100 dairy farms focused on addressing climate challenges by reducing ammonia, nitrogen and methane emissions.
Sustainable farming
Minister Muir said: “The Netherlands is a leading light in sustainable farming.
“In Hoeven, we heard from the Network of Practical Farms about the collaboration between dairy farmers and research companies on an integrated approach to addressing emissions in a feasible and affordable manner.
“Together they are future-proofing Dutch dairy enterprises by addressing these issues and ensuring their economic viability while protecting animal welfare and improving both biodiversity and water quality.”
Challenge
Minister Muir said that in Northern Ireland, there is a “real challenge” with levels of ammonia emissions.
This is why, he said, it is “valuable to learn from the Dutch experience of how to marry sustainable agricultural development with emissions reductions”.
The minister added that the new Sustainable Agriculture Programme in Northern Ireland is “key to helping our industry transition to a more sustainable farming sector”.
This will be through policy interventions designed to “support a thriving and resilient farming and agri-food sector whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving water and air quality and promoting nature restoration”.
Trade links
Minister Muir also held “constructive discussions” with the Director General for Rural Areas, Nature, and Fisheries Mark Roscam Abbing in The Hague where farm sustainability and trade issues were on the agenda.
Minister Muir said afterwards: “Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector has long had ties with the Netherlands.
“It’s been good to explore with Mark Roscam Abbing how we can further enrich our relationship by sharing knowledge and expertise on sustainable farming.
“We very much value the relationship we have forged with the Dutch government and look forward to further developing trade links under the emerging sanitary and phytosanitary agri-food and drink arrangements between the UK and the EU.”
