Government promotion of grass-based farming in climate policy welcomed

GOVERNMENT promotion of the positive environmental contribution of Ireland’s grass-based farming in its new National Climate Policy is a very welcome evolution in state strategy, according to the Irish Farmers’ Association.

IFA climate change spokesman Jer Bergin has welcomed the position taken by Environment Minister Phil Hogan in drawing attention to the low carbon emissions of the Irish approach to farming, which maximises outdoor grazing for animals and minimises carbon inefficient indoor stall-feeding.

Mr Bergin said: “Farmers had been angered by some of the climate change measures which the Fianna Fáil and Green Party government had tried to introduce. There was a real risk that the sustainable food produced by Ireland and the rest of Europe would be displaced by food produced in less emission-conscious regions such as the Mercosur countries in South America.