Sir, – Your editorial ("More milk and water", January 23rd) is a simplistic portrayal of the Government's approach to the climate challenge. This is a similar position adopted by the environmental NGOs.
Ireland is not obliged to introduce climate legislation. Indeed, the country is only one of five EU member states that has decided voluntarily to introduce climate law. Second, the impression that sectors such as agriculture are not playing their part is misleading.
You recognise correctly Ireland’s sustainable model of food production – which is a significant national economic asset. The agri-food sector supports 300,000 jobs right across the country, is the largest exporter of beef in Europe and produces 15 per cent of the world’s infant formula and has overall food exports of over €10 billion. This is being achieved sustainably by national, EU and international standards.
However, as farmers we are not resting on our laurels. Thousands of farmers are members of the Bord Bia Quality Assurance scheme, the beef technology adoption programme, the sheep technology adoption programme, the Better farm programme and the resource efficiency initiative Smart Farming. Each of these initiatives has a strong environmental focus which leads to emission reduction.
Simple targets are not the answer. A silver bullet to emission reductions from agriculture does not exist. Agricultural emissions are organic, naturally occurring gases. Addressing the climate challenge requires a mosaic of responses. Ireland produces food more sustainably than most; this is a very important point at a time of increased demand for the food we produce in this country. Climate policy at EU level has evolved to recognise this. Similar thinking is required at international level.
Government’s climate legislation is pragmatic. It recognises the myriad of complex issues when addressing the climate challenge and seeks to chart a low carbon path for the country. This is in line with our legal obligations, while supporting the sustainable development of the agri-food sector in Ireland. – Yours, etc,
HAROLD KINGSTON,
IFA Environmental
and Rural Affairs Chairman,
Irish Farm Centre,
Bluebell,
Dublin 12.