Dairy emissions policy must be informed and flexible – not a rigid formula

Noel Murphy, chair of ICMSA's dairy committee, outlines why greater regulatory flexibility would allow farmers to act as trusted guardians of the environment

Holstein cow walks through milking parlour. Picture: by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

It’s no exaggeration to say that farmers are almost ‘punch drunk’ at this stage as they try to come to terms and understand the deluge of regulation and ‘targets’ they are expected to understand and engage with.

Almost literally, each new day brings a new report — each with a slightly different emphasis, but with one overriding focus: the fixing in the public mind of our farming and agri-food sector as chief culprits in Ireland’s transgressions against the climate.