We should be in no doubt as to the importance of the crossroads that Irish agriculture is fast approaching. One road has the potential to expose the sector to a world of new opportunities, where farmers are recognised and rewarded for delivering environmentally sustainable food – not just in terms of market prices but also through the introduction of a financial mechanism that rewards them for removing atmospheric carbon and storing it in their soils, hedgerows and trees.

The alternative route takes farmers down a very different road – one where the productive capacity of their farms is severely curtailed and economic sustainability eroded through environmental policy constraints.

The road down which we travel will be shaped by the extent to which, over the coming months, we can shift the position of agriculture within the environmental debate – to one that positions farmers at the centre of the solution rather than being the core of the problem.

The extent to which we believe the sector has the necessary ambition and leadership to achieve this outcome should determine how we approach the Climate Bill announced by the Government this week.

As we report this week, an interim target of reducing national emissions by 51% by 2030 will now be enshrined in law. If the burden share is applied equally across all sectors and the status quo in how we account for agricultural emissions is maintained, then deep cuts to the size of the national cattle herd, which accounts for over 60% of total agricultural emissions, will be required. The suckler herd will be in the firing line along with any potential to further expand dairy production.

Most would view such an outcome as incomprehensible. But the reality is that for as long as we allow agriculture to be viewed as a core part of the environmental problem then the future of our national livestock herd remains under threat.

However, in as far as the Climate Bill presents a threat to the sector, there is also the potential to revolutionise, should the ambition, determination and foresight exist to capitalise on the opportunity. Throughout the text of the bill, the extent to which future policy and targets should be shaped by evolving scientific consensus and advances in technology is recognised.

It is not credible for our industry to allow policymakers opt for the easy option of cutting cow numbers

It is within this area that our industry needs to come together and concentrate its efforts. Attention must focus on building a robust scientific narrative that demonstrates the need to reassess the contribution of livestock to climate change. It should reflect how our understanding of the science in relation to the role of methane as a greenhouse gas is evolving; the extent to which the role of grazing livestock systems in removing and locking up atmospheric carbon in our soils, hedges and trees is being recognised; and the potential of new technologies such and feed additives to reduce overall emission levels.

It is a narrative that is gaining momentum globally, not least in the US. In keeping with President Joe Biden’s ambition to make American agriculture the first in the world to achieve net-zero emissions, US agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack spoke this week of creating a carbon bank which could set a floor price for carbon sequestered by soils and trees. Despite being home to one of the largest cattle herds in the world, cutting livestock numbers is not seen as a solution.

Against this backdrop, it is not credible for our industry to allow policymakers opt for the easy option of cutting cow numbers while at the same time continuing to view the sector through the lens of gross emissions – a model which gives farmers no credit for being one of the only sectors that can positively contribute to climate change by removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

As highlighted in this column recently, forcing change will require a commitment within the industry to invest in establishing a national audit process – a process that through measurement, reporting and validation scientifically establishes and verifiably improves agriculture’s net contribution to Ireland’s emissions profile.

A mechanism to bring key stakeholders together to establish how this can be developed and delivered is required immediately. While the recent move by Glanbia to restrict peak milk production shone a light on the need for the industry to advance in this area, the Climate Bill creates the burning platform.

This week's cartoon

\ Jim Cogan

Dairy: planning delays will increase environmental impact of dairy

Seldom in the Irish Farmers Journal have we seen a reaction like the one to Glanbia Ireland’s move to introduce a growth cap on milk production during the peak months of April to June. As we reflect in this week's edition, the move has created fear and anger among farmers – particularly those who have made significant investments on their farm on the basis that they could continue to grow output.

Consideration should be given to granting a dispensation to farmers looking to exit their milk supply agreement (MSA) – the volume of milk released through this could be linked to the capacity growth demanded by other farmers.

In our webinar on Tuesday, Glanbia stressed that, legally, the MSAs were not affected. But rather than apply the rule of law, Glanbia should be guided by the co-op ethos. Other processors would have a much greater incentive to invest in maximising processing capacity if it was on the back of growing their farmer supply base rather than to simply process more milk on contract for Glanbia for a three- to four-week period.

Meanwhile, Joe Patton of Teagasc demonstrated the outcome of forcing farmers to flatten the supply curve: more work, less money and a higher environmental footprint, especially when there is no premium winter product and potential undermining of our distinct marketing advantage.

But perhaps the most striking message was the Teagasc figures showing that the impact of the attempt by An Taisce to thwart the development of the Glanbia cheese plant would not stop dairy production. Further growth would be delivered by a more intensive production model with an environmental footprint 16% higher than a traditional grass-based system.

Beef: label nationalisation works against Ireland’s interests

The week has seen a further surge in the price of beef in Britain beyond €5.00/kg. Meanwhile, the Irish price struggles to get anywhere close to €4.00/kg. It is particularly frustrating for Irish farmers dropping cattle off to a factory while another factory in the same group in Britain will be able to pay over €1/kg more for the same animal. While we have no insight into factory costs or margins, what we do know is the high value placed by British retail on sourcing UK-origin product for their stores.

Label nationalisation pushes the 90% of Irish beef that is exported to the second division markets, while just 10% has centre stage in our home market. We might expect that after almost three decades of a single market and strict rules on state aid, that the EU would be focused on EU branding at this point. Unfortunately that isn’t the case and it means that Irish exports are entering heavily nationalised markets across Europe with an arguably superior product that is treated as second-class because of the label it carries.

Irish farmers would be best served by generic labelling confirming the product is produced to an EU standard as opposed to a national flag.

Environment: water quality week

It is water quality week and all parts of the industry should take time to think about what they can do. Careful use of fertilisers and sprays is essential and we cannot turn a blind eye. Careless use by a minority can have a massive effect on the majority.

The Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advice Programme (ASSAP) is a great source of advice for farmers. The programme offers a free and confidential advisory service to farmers to help to improve water quality across the country. Priority areas for action are being targeted across the country to achieve “good status” in all waters. Catchment scientists and the agricultural catchments programme play an essential role in carrying out research and passing on results and advice.

As the sector faces more and more regulations and reductions in input use, improving water quality will be essential in proving that we can farm in harmony with the environment.