Farmers and ecology groups clash over impact of Climate Change Bill

FARMERS and ecology groups have voiced starkly contrasting views on likely impacts on industry and the environment of the Climate Change Bill currently before the Oireachtas.

Due for a Seanad vote next Thursday, farm groups IFA, ICOS, ICMSA and MII say the bill will drive up food production costs and destroy potential for export growth. Stop Climate Chaos, Oxfam Ireland and Trócaire say it does not go far enough to halt climate change.

In a joint briefing yesterday, the IFA, ICOS and MII said they wanted “this rushed legislation” to be stopped due to the threat posed to the agri-food sector.

IFA president, John Bryan, said: “This legislation, if passed . . . would create an obstacle to the potential that has been identified for growth of €4 billion in agri-food exports. The ESRI says we should adopt the EU target. The Bill, which wants to exceed that target, should be set aside while the consultation process is under way.”

ICOS president Pat McLoughlin said the bill’s failure to recognise the positives in agriculture was a major flaw.

Mr McLoughlin said: “Our low-carbon model facilitates the production of food in a sustainable way and permanent pasture is the basis of our agriculture. Neither is allowed for in the bill. These issues must be addressed before it proceeds.”

Ciaran Fitzgerald, chairman of Meat Industry Ireland, said: “Ireland is best placed to meet increasing global demand for food as our sustainable model avoids the consequences of carbon leakage in other regions.”

ICMSA president Jackie Cahill sent a letter to TDs and senators urging them to reject the bill, noting it could undermine Ireland’s negotiating position to obtain a favourable burden-sharing arrangement of EU commitments, with discussions imminent on the Cancun Accord.

Meanwhile the Green Party, proposers of the bill, say the proposed legislation would have the flexibility to change and adapt to allay these concerns. A party spokesperson said the bill had an in-built pillar to prioritise Ireland’s economic recovery.