The news in recent days of research that an addition of just 2% of dried seaweed to a cows’ diet can make them healthier, more fertile and reduce methane emissions by as much as 99% deserves to be looked at seriously here in Ireland and it could kick start a new industry that would create jobs into the future.
According to research carried out in Australia and Canada, a small addition of dried seaweed to a cows diet has not alone improved their general health, it has made them more fertile and their methane emissions were reduced by as much as 99%. I would like to see this research being carried out here and there are huge possibilities with regard to the seaweed industry in Ireland and the Department should look into this further. While the claims of the reduction of methane emissions are made in this research it must be remembered that it has been shown that methane emissions with regard to agriculture are inconsequential when looked at from satellite images and in widespread research.
Nevertheless we are an island nation with plenty of coastline and if we can develop and improve our seaweed industry it could be a big bonus for our economy and more analysis into this exciting new research must take place as soon as possible.
