It’s time to get real on change - Changing face of farming

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny shamefully spoke out of both sides of his mouth at the climate change conference in Paris.

Addressing an international audience, Mr Kenny pledged Ireland’s support for measures to tackle climate change but later, speaking to a domestic constituency — the disproportionately powerful farm lobby — he gave the “easy lads, it’ll be all right” version, now an almost mandatory qualification to any initiative designed to protect the environment. Ironically, Mr Kenny’s attempt to reassure farmers may have lulled some into a dangerously false sense of security.

Speaking in recent days, Seán Sherlock, the Development and Trade Minister, recognised reality when he said that farmers will have to prepare for a future with fewer small holdings and less emphasis on beef or dairy production as the country comes under growing pressure to tackle the root causes of climate change. This seems inevitable and, rather than characterisising it as an attack, farmers should regard it as a lifeline towards security and sustainability.

The reality is that the EU requires us to cut carbon emissions by 40% in 15 years and this has implications for farmers. It is unimaginable that we will demand yet another derrogation — nothing more than a worst-in-class opt out clause, one unlikely to be offered by the EU. Irish farming lives or dies by EU subsidy and it is certain that dependency will be leveraged to meet carbon targets.