There has been widespread reaction to the government announcement of agreed targets for emission reductions in respect of Ireland s Climate Action plan.
Yesterday a target of 25% was set for the agriculture sector.
Climate Minister Eamon Ryan had sought a reduction of 30%.
Opposition politicians have labelled a 25% “a failure” on climate action, while farmers representatives have been sharply critical.
The ICMSA led by local Tipperary man Pat McCormack say the decision would have wholly negative and predictable economic, social and demographic consequences and represented a ‘sell-out’ of our family farm model.
The ISA view is that a 25% reduction over an eight-year timeframe is ‘impossible’.
The IFA also said the decision was a blow to farmers and the rural economy.
Meanwhile the ICSA responded by calling for a complete blanket ban at EU level on meat imports from outside the EU.
The ICSA also called for financial supports for farmers to implement existing and soon to be available technologies and research on carbon storage in soil, trees and hedgerows with a view to farmers being able to either offset emissions like other sectors or to sell carbon credits.
The ICSA is also calling for clarity on the use of solar panels, anaerobic digesters, and biofuels to help energy de-carbonisation and asks that the allocation of these emissions reductions to the energy sector rather than agriculture be reviewed.
The plan includes emissions reductions targets for Industry at 35%, Residential Buildings 40%, Commercial and Public Buildings 45%, Gas, Petroleum Refining and Waste 50% , Transport 50% and Electricity has a target for a 75% reduction in emissions by 2030.
The figures are legally binding and Government departments will be responsible for reducing the emission under their remit.
Government grants, especially in the agriculture sector, will be dependent on farmers drawing down the funding meeting climate targets.
