Green threat to Irish farming

TDs and Senators across the West of Ireland have been asked to ‘tune into’ what’s going on as regards impending legislation on emissions from Irish farms.

Galway IFA Chairman, Stephen Canavan – who raised the issue with Green Party Minister of State, Pippa Hackett at Gurteen Ag. College this week in Tipperary – warned that there was a real threat to cattle numbers across the country.

“There is a huge worry that simply concentrating on emission cuts in agriculture – without considering other mitigating carbon sequestration factors – will have major adverse consequence for Irish farmers,” Stephen Canavan told the Farming Tribune.

He added that there was also a real worry over a decision being made on the emissions cuts at the Cabinet table rather than having a full discussion on the issue in the Dail chamber.

“If this happens, then it will be the law, so now is the time to act on this issue. We need our TDs and Senators to stand up and be counted on this. There is a range of 22% to 30% for cuts in emissions and don’t the figure to pass the lower limit,” said Stephen Canavan.

He added that he had made the IFA’s position on the issue ‘crystal clear’ to Minister of State Pippa Hackett on Tuesday at the workshop on renewable energies at Gurteen College.

“What happens if cattle numbers are cut in Ireland where we produce the most environmentally sustainable food in the world? The gap will of course be filled by countries who don’t come anywhere near our standards,” said the IFA Chair.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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