The significance of a carrot

I could write for hours about the need for higher retail prices, but I, too, like many of my readers, am also a consumer; I simply need my grocery bill to be as low as possible as the cost of living in Ireland is so high, writes Aherla dairy farmer Paula Hynes.

There has been much discussion over the last few years surrounding the use of the “carrot and stick approach” towards getting farmers to reduce emissions and improve water quality, writes dairy farmer Paula Hynes.

There has been much discussion over the last few years surrounding the use of the “carrot and stick approach” towards getting farmers to reduce emissions and improve water quality.

The EU went straight for the stick approach when they reduced the Irish nitrates derogation to 220kg, and while some Irish politicians who want livestock numbers reduced have suggested Irish farmers could diversify and even switch to growing vegetables, a recent trip to the supermarket reminded me that the carrot approach is not really an option either.