IFA leader urges Durban negotiators to recognise flaws in Kyoto Protocol

THE Kyoto Protocol is flawed in that it takes no account of the carbon sinks associated with grassland and forestry, according to IFA president John Bryan.

The farm group leader has urged negotiators at the current climate change talks in Durban to recognise the flaws in the Kyoto Protocol. He notes this carbon emissions-focused environmental agreement takes no account of the increasing demand for food by the growing global population.

Mr Bryan said: “Agriculture is different and the negotiations in Durban must recognise this. The sector has a dual function: reducing emissions while feeding an ever-increasing global population, therefore, choices need to be made. In Ireland, it is wrong that the emission-accounting methodology ignores our extensive carbon absorbing permanent pastures and forestry.”