The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has said that cutting back on farming in the name of reducing carbon emissions would amount to a form of “national sabotage”.
“Farmers are making progress in meeting our emissions targets,” IFA President Francie Gorman said this morning, as he addressed the 70th AGM of the IFA in the Irish Farm Centre.
“Reducing emissions by reducing production is as a big a folly as reducing emissions by
importing electricity,” he continued.
“There has to be a proper balance between environment policy, economic policy and
social policy.
“Cutting back on farm output and food production would be national sabotage.”
Gorman said that the “global demand for meat and dairy is growing”, adding: “If we don’t produce it here, it will be produced in other countries with a much bigger environmental impact.”
Speaking of the new incoming Irish Government, Gorman said that it would be the IFA’s job over the next 5 years “to ensure that the new Government delivers for farmers.”
“Once the full Government line-up is confirmed later today, we will be engaging with them,” he said.
“The new Government has to find a better way to work with farmers. Whatever the issue, the approach has to be practical, flexible and grounded in common sense. Too often, unnecessary obstacles are being out in front of farmers.”
He said that the three main issues for the Government to work on are the retention of the Nitrates derogation; the blocking of the Mercosur deal; and the shape of the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
“To be frank, the last EU Commission became detached from farmers and in many ways detached from reality,” he said.
“It wasn’t prepared to listen to farmers, and it ignored our input.”
He expressed hope that tomorrow’s meeting with Commissioner Christophe Hansen would mark the beginning of a new relationship that properly acknowledges the vital role of farmers on the ground.
“The CAP has to get back to its roots, back farming and be properly funded to do so,” he said.
“At national and EU level, separate funding has to be found for climate action. The days of raiding our CAP funding are over.”
Gorman also warned of the potential impact of US President Donald Trump’s tariff plans on the Irish farming sector.
“On the issue of trade, President Donald Trump has been very vocal in his comments
regarding tariffs on international goods,” he said.
“These could do serious damage to Irish farming. Every diplomatic effort must be made
to avoid damaging tariffs being introduced on Irish exports.”