EU backs Ireland on food, climate change

A decision by European leaders early yesterday to recognise Ireland’s heavy reliance on agriculture in a new long-term policy on food security and climate change was welcomed by Agriculture, Food and Marine Minister Simon Coveney.

He said Ireland has been a clear leader for some time at EU level in calling for recognition of the specific issues that arise in the agriculture and forestry sector in relation to policy on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

“It is therefore a very positive result for the Taoiseach to have persuaded his colleagues to agree a statement on agriculture and forestry, which Ireland largely drafted, in their Conclusions on the EU’s Climate and Energy Framework to 2030,” he said.