| Title: | The future of crop production in Ireland: Climate change and sustainable land use |
|---|---|
| Date: | Friday 05 June 2009 |
| Time: | 12:30 |
| Organiser: | UCD Earth Systems Institute |
| Venue: | Royal College of Physicians of Ireland |
| Website: | http://www.ucd.ie/earth |
| Contact: | Sue Murphy |
| Audience: | All Welcome |
The future of crop production in Ireland: Climate change and sustainable land use
Crop plants underpin Irish agriculture, food production and environmental management. Irish-grown potatoes and oats are used as human food. Barley feeds the brewing industry, while grass, cereals and maize are a major source of food for our cattle industry. Other crops, such as oilseed, underpin our growing biofuel industry. Crop management and productivity is dependent on environmental conditions. Climate change models predict increasing precipitation, flooding and temperature in Ireland. If this prediction holds true, the future will present opportunities to enhance the production of cereals and to produce alternative crops in Ireland, but it will also lead to reduced grass and potato production. New crops and a changing environment will bring new disease problems, input requirements and environmental impacts. Given the recognised importance of food security, biofuel production and environmental management, and faced with climate change, now is an ideal time for integrative science and policy to direct future crop production that will ensure sustainable land use in Ireland.
