Govt Must do More to Support Farmers to Achieve Emissions Reduction Targets

Speaking at the Agriculture & Climate Change: Science into Action conference in Dublin Castle today, IFA President Francie Gorman said the Government needs to do more to support farmers on the climate journey.

“There are lots of targets, reports, projections, documents, conferences etc but no properly-funded plan to support farmers to reduce emissions or even to reduce the regulatory roadblocks hindering farmers trying to make environmental improvements on their farms,” he said.

“Examples of this include a biomethane strategy which is not fit for purpose; delays in implementing planning exemptions for nutrient storage; delays in ACRES payments; failure to properly support the tillage sector; a totally failed forestry programme; and an absence of initiatives to support the adoption of feed or slurry additives,” he said.

“The vast majority of farmers on the ground are committed to reducing emissions, but our planning system and the general unwillingness of the State to put proper supports in place is inhibiting them more than helping them,” he said.