It is up to the farmers of today to take action on climate change in order to demonstrate to our children, our grandchildren and the generations to come that we did what was right to make the world a better place for all, Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) president Michael Spellman has said, adding that it is the challenge of our generation.
“The agriculture sector which obviously has much to contribute to sustainability, has already made major strides in this requirement.”
He added that it is important not to drive food production away from a sustainably producing country such as Ireland in order for it to be produced elsewhere with higher emissions.
The critical message to farmers is that there is also a strong correlation between the uptake of these carbon efficiency measures and farm level profitability
“The adoption of EBI (Economic Breeding Index), improved nitrogen use efficiency, uptake of protected urea measures, use of low-emission spreading equipment, greater use of milk recording and extending the grazing season are all examples of practical measures that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture,” Spellman said.
“The critical message to farmers is that there is also a strong correlation between the uptake of these carbon efficiency measures and farm level profitability.”
He called for "meaningful support" from the Government to maximise the potential of anaerobic digestion biogas in Ireland.
ICOS represents over 130 co-operatives in Ireland whose associated businesses have a combined turnover in the region of €14bn, with some 150,000 individual members, employing 12,000 people in Ireland and a further 24,000 people overseas.
Michael Spellman ended his term as president at the AGM on Thursday.
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It is up to the farmers of today to take action on climate change in order to demonstrate to our children, our grandchildren and the generations to come that we did what was right to make the world a better place for all, Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) president Michael Spellman has said, adding that it is the challenge of our generation.
“The agriculture sector which obviously has much to contribute to sustainability, has already made major strides in this requirement.”
He added that it is important not to drive food production away from a sustainably producing country such as Ireland in order for it to be produced elsewhere with higher emissions.
The critical message to farmers is that there is also a strong correlation between the uptake of these carbon efficiency measures and farm level profitability
“The adoption of EBI (Economic Breeding Index), improved nitrogen use efficiency, uptake of protected urea measures, use of low-emission spreading equipment, greater use of milk recording and extending the grazing season are all examples of practical measures that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture,” Spellman said.
“The critical message to farmers is that there is also a strong correlation between the uptake of these carbon efficiency measures and farm level profitability.”
He called for "meaningful support" from the Government to maximise the potential of anaerobic digestion biogas in Ireland.
ICOS represents over 130 co-operatives in Ireland whose associated businesses have a combined turnover in the region of €14bn, with some 150,000 individual members, employing 12,000 people in Ireland and a further 24,000 people overseas.
Michael Spellman ended his term as president at the AGM on Thursday.
Read more
Editorial: scale is never enough to deliver a sustainable income
Renewable heat scheme to benefit forestry
First farm biogas flows to national grid
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