Farmers have 'serious concerns' about biodiversity report

Aoibhinn Ní Shuilleabhean, chairwoman of the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, at the launch of the Assembly's report. Picture: PA

The country’s main farming body has expressed “serious concerns” about the report of the Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, suggesting some of its recommendations “could actually be counter-productive to the overall objective of protecting biodiversity”.

The landmark report, published yesterday and welcomed by environmental groups, contains 159 recommendations, including a referendum to write environmental protection into the Irish Constitution, a Government minister with a biodiversity brief, and heavier penalties for environmental pollution.