Cautious reactions to 'demanding' targets

IFA

IFA president Joe Healy described the plan’s targets as very demanding and said: “We must not forget that we are the most carbon efficient country in Europe for dairy production.”

Healy added that the plan needs to protect low-carbon family farms – including from the threat of a deal with higher polluting Mercosur countries. “The Teagasc roadmap can play a part, but Government’s targets are very demanding for agriculture,” he added.

Macra

Macra president Thomas Duffy welcomed the plan and said: “Moving beyond simple carbon taxation is essential, now the focus must move towards rewarding adopters of low carbon technology and practices.”

He added that this must be done fairly for rural people dependent on fossil fuels for their energy.

ICSA

ICSA general secretary Eddie Punch said: “Future agri-environment schemes need to be a lot more like REPS and a lot less like GLAS.”

Anaerobic digestion would be a “win-win” for rural communities – unlike a Mercosur trade deal, he added.

“Cutting down rainforests in South America and then blaming Irish farmers for climate change is illogical,” Punch said.

ICMSA

ICMSA president Pat McCormack said the plan’s targets were “very challenging” for farmers, but they will be part of the solution.

He urged the Government to support fully the development of renewable energy on farms, after previous efforts fell short.

ICOS

ICOS president Jerry Long warned that the plan “will require a significant effort by all stakeholders working collaboratively”, but farmers and co-ops are willing to play their part.

“For example, the target to replace 50% of CAN fertiliser with protected urea starts from just 1% of the market today,” he noted.

Friends of the Earth Ireland

Environmental group Friends of the Earth welcomed the structures put in place to monitor the delivery of the plan.

“The ability for communities and individuals to sell power produced from local solar, wind and hydro projects will be a game changer in how we all use and think about the electricity that powers our lives,” said the group’s deputy director Kate Ruddock.

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