IRELAND faces ‘devastating’ its own agricultural sectors with restrictive environmental measures while at the same time food imports from Brazil into the EU continue to rocket.

That’s the stark warning issued this week by IFA President, Tim Cullinan, who said that while Irish farmers were willing to reduced emissions and address climate challenges, they wouldn’t stand for the destruction of their livelihoods.

The IFA President told delegates attending the IFA’s Farming and Climate Summit in Thomond Park, Limerick, on Tuesday, that Brazilian food imports into the EU had increased by 47% in 2022.

“The reality is that reducing food production in Ireland will lead to carbon leakage as food will be produced in other countries at a higher environmental cost.

“Meanwhile, we risk devastating our own sector with significant economic and social consequences. The Government is being less than honest in confronting this carbon leakage issue,” said Tim Cullinan.

He added that IFA recognised the climate challenge with members keen to play their part, but he said that this couldn’t be at the expense of their livelihoods.

Galway IFA Chair, Stephen Canavan, who also attended this week’s conference said that while Irish farmers were more than willing and entirely positive about producing food in an environmentally friendly fashion there were two ‘red line issues’.

“We won’t – and we cannot – compromise on our income which we need to survive as farmers. There are efficiencies which can be achieved but will not stand for any reduction in livestock numbers – this just won’t happen,” said Stephen Canavan.

He added that the Irish grass-based food production system for livestock was second to none across the world and was in a different to many other major food producing countries such as Brazil.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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