Green Party leader Eamon Ryan was challenged by farmers on proposals to phase out live exports and put an end to the nitrates derogation.Ryan was one of three party leaders to speak at the IFA AGM on Tuesday as the general election campaign enters its penultimate week.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan was challenged by farmers on proposals to phase out live exports and put an end to the nitrates derogation.
Ryan was one of three party leaders to speak at the IFA AGM on Tuesday as the general election campaign enters its penultimate week.
In its manifesto, the Green Party has committed to reviewing the derogation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and “if deemed necessary” phasing it out.
Carnage
IFA environmental chair Paul O’Brien said abolishing the derogation would result in “financial carnage” for dairy, poultry and pig farmers who had invested heavily in their businesses.
Ryan said Ireland had issues with water quality and air quality caused by excess nitrogen and ammonia. He said farmers’ incomes were based on Irish agriculture exporting products and failure to address environmental challenges would damage those exports.
Ryan said: “It’s not all black and white … but the overall change in water quality is real.”
If we’re relying on live exports as the safety valve to keep the current system working, I think the problem is with the system
He acknowledged agriculture was not the only contributor but expressed concerns about agriculture “opting out”. Ryan said the Green Party wanted to work with farmers to achieve the objective of restoring nature while protecting farm incomes.
IFA president Tim Cullinan said the derogation was a redline issue for the IFA.
Live exports
The Green Party has committed to a ban on the live export of livestock for slaughter to non-EU countries and the phase-out of the live export of unweaned calves.
IFA Connacht regional chair Pat Murphy said live exports were crucial to creating competition in the beef industry.
Ryan said: “If we’re relying on live exports as the safety valve to keep the current system working, I think the problem is with the system.”
He said the current beef production system was not working for farmers. He said live exports were not the appropriate response to the income crisis facing farmers. He pointed to the Green Party’s policy to extensify beef production and reduce production to secure a premium price for a niche product.
Cullinan stressed that if live exports were lost, the beef industry may as well be “shut down”.
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