Large-scale farming is unsustainable and supported by the small-minded

Your editorial of Friday, November 28, was responsible, but unpalatable for those with interests in beef or dairy-based agriculture. 

If the scientific consensus on climate change is correct, then the Irish Government policy under the harvest 2020 is irresponsible.

The small-minded arguments of our ministers (and Taoiseach), that we are an exception for pasture-based agriculture, can be used by every nation that has an economic speciality. Climate change aside, the pursuit of large-scale animal farming places massive strain on our environment: draining more land creates bigger flood surges into our waterways, while fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides threaten biodiversity. But the economy and our GDP trump everything. Well, economically, who benefits?