Cutting suckler herd would help greenhouse gas mitigation in agri sector

A continued reduction of the suckler herd would make an important and cost-effective contribution to greenhouse gas mitigation in the agricultural sector, according to the Climate Change Advisory Council’s annual review.

But the Irish Farmers Association said the proposal is based on the flawed logic of looking at emissions from food production on a single country basis The CCAC review predicted that the potential release of land from beef production could support alternative uses, raise farm incomes and reduce the sector’s exposure to external market shocks.