Ireland must exploit reputation for low-carbon farming, conference told

IRELAND’s reputation for low-carbon farming should be harnessed to ensure that the authorities governing global agriculture promote Irish food production while capping outputs from less efficient regions, business leaders heard at a Teagasc conference at Dublin’s Mansion House yesterday.

Attendees at the A Climate for Change – Opportunities for Carbon-Efficient Farming conference are gathering again today to agree on an approach to minimising the carbon footprint of Irish food, and to capitalise on the global demand for low-carbon food.

Experts at the conference noted that demand for food will continue to grow in tandem with the world’s expanding population. Yet, farmers must also cope with the challenge of reducing their GHG emissions while increasing food supply.