Debating the presentation of the EAT-Lancet report, the IFA’s Munster regional chair John Coughlan said it was “disappointing” that the research ignored the food processing and trading industry. Co-author Jessica Fanzo acknowledged that it only considered production and consumption, which was incomplete. Coughlan also warned of the risk to cut production in Ireland only to see it taken up by countries that “do a lot more damage”.

Dairy farmer Tim O’Leary said Fanzo’s detailed presentation was “so distant from the media reporting of the EAT-Lancet report” when it was published. He said farmers had successfully implemented nitrates regulations and would do the same “once we’re told what to do” on climate change, such as using protected urea fertiliser as his family already does on their farm – “but we’re not there yet with carbon” when it comes to clear direction.

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