Pat McCormack told Newstalk Breakfast that “if there is to be a scheme, it needs to be a voluntary scheme. That’s absolutely critical because there’s no point in culling numbers from an individual who has borrowed on the back of a huge financial commitment on the back of achieving a certain target that’s taken from under him.
Up to 65,000 dairy cows a year could be culled as the Government moves to bring the agriculture sector in line with climate targets, according to a report by the Irish Independent.
An internal Department of Agriculture briefing paper sought to find ways to help the sector “close the gap” on emissions.
But Mr McCormack said farmers should be brought along in any change in strategy and were willing to play their role in the “environmental journey” ahead.
“We should be investing in an infrastructure that can deliver from a scientific perspective. And we know low emissions are better and we should be continuing to invest in further science and research because that’s absolutely critical as we move forward,” he said.
The Macra president said: “The solution to deliver sustainable results on climate targets for agriculture is emerging from our farmers and food producers based on the best practice as derived from experience, research and science backed by our world class agricultural scientists working on new solutions, that will deliver emissions reduction for the sector and not by unsustainable short-termism strategies like culling as suggested in the report.”
She added: “Macra have repeatedly highlight at the Food Vision Groups that this type of a reductionist strategy is flawed. We need a pathway forward for future food producers, not a culling strategy, otherwise we will end up with a deficit of young people willing to enter agriculture to produce the world class food and proteins in the most environmentally sustainable manner.”
THE GREAT LIVESTOCK METHANE MISCONCEPTION
“This isn’t a start. This isn’t the end. This is an environmental journey and agriculture can play a significant role there.” Farmers are willing to do their part from an environmental impact perspective, but it was important to acknowledge that the current dairy herd was at the same level as it was 30 years ago, said Mr McCormack.
Numbers had fallen due to quotas more than 10 years ago, but had risen again in the past number of years.
Mr McCormack said that if a cull were to be introduced and it was voluntary, then some farmers would refuse while others would exit the dairy sector. Equally there were farmers in other sectors who would also like the opportunity to reduce or to exit and that opportunity was not being afforded to them, which was “a huge disappointment”.
Ms Houlihan also pointed out: “Has anyone taken a step back and seriously looked at what signals these reports focusing on culling send to young farmers considering entering a sector. Is Ireland and Europe serious about Generational Renewal?. The stark fact remains that more farmers are over 65 than under 35.
She concluded: “Research concludes that farmer characteristics including age and innovativeness of the farmer impact the decision to adopt smart farming or precision agriculture technologies that reduce climate emissions. Now is the time to invest in young farmers to deliver on climate targets and shred reports that call for culling.”
