Speaking at the World Farmers’ Conference in Milan this week, IFA President Eddie Downey said climate change talks, which take place in Paris later this year, must recognise the importance of supporting sustainable food production. He also said the talks will have to reach an agreement that promotes policies so that countries like Ireland, which has the capacity and resources to grow food production sustainably, are allowed to do so.

Downey said the challenge for the Paris talks is to "agree a framework that is fair and balanced in terms of food security and climate change". He added there must be "joined-up thinking" and other issues such as water resource availability "must be fully taken into the debate".

The IFA President is looking for support among his WFO (World Farmers' Organisation) colleagues for an approach that takes the multi-functional role of agriculture into account.

“Given the projected increase in the world population and the growing demand for our food products, the talks in Paris must focus on delivering a climate policy that supports carbon-efficient food production," he said.

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Addressing the World Farmers’ Conference last week, IFA President Eddie Downey said climate change talks in Paris must promote policies that allow countries like Ireland to grow food sustainably.