Ireland's cheap food policy has left farmers dependent on imported fertiliser and animal feedstuff — INHFA

A ‘just transition’ with regard to climate change and biodiversity loss must be balanced with the need to ensure sufficient food supply

"The cheap food policy that much of our economic activity is built on is no longer fit for purpose."

The “cheap food policy” that much of agriculture’s economic activity is built on is “no longer fit for purpose”, and has “driven specialisation over diversification” because of low returns, according to the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA).

In its contribution to a recently-published report — ‘Rural Ireland on the move: farm diversification and just transition’ — the INHFA said that when assessing proposals around a ‘just transition’ with regard to climate change and biodiversity loss, it is “vital” that it is balanced with the need to ensure sufficient food supply.