I had a reason to write a letter to the Irish Times this week. It was in answer to an editorial piece suggesting that the expansion of Irish dairy farming had too high an environmental cost. It quoted an EPA report which, it claimed, urged the development of sustainable food production “instead”.

Specifically on climate change, it said the government was looking for dairy farming to be able to opt out of any obligations.

Obviously I responded to set out the various ways us farmers have embraced best practice and technology. How simple legal emission targets ignored the complex reality of organic gasses that are part and parcel of all food production.

No better topic to bring out the online environmental experts and political activists on Twitter.

Some were asking genuine questions, others apparently held the same opinion as the editorial. Well okay, maybe a bit stronger opinion.

I am well used to online abuse at this stage, but then came something I hadn’t experienced for a while. I, along with farmers in general, was treated to some of the most condescending remarks. My level of education and scientific background were questioned. Given that I was just a farmer I couldn’t possibly understand the ecological damage I was proposing.

Then the fact IFA didn’t have a climate scientist employed in-house. I don’t employ a vet on my farm, I hire in one when needed. I may be a farmer but I cannot possibly know everything about farming. That’s why I use advisors, attend conferences and do a lot of reading.

Nobody, including farmers, knows everything about changes in our climate. I do feel though that farmers are uniquely placed to realise the implications. After all we do depend on the weather being reasonably in line with the seasons. We do take a very long term view on looking after our farms given how the land and business gets passed down generations.

Our livelihood depends on growing food at a profit. Being more efficient with input use has the ability to boost profits and reduce emissions.

The EU Commission now recognises agriculture is different to other sectors for climate legislation. Our Minister for Agriculture says anyone who wants to reduce food production in Ireland doesn’t understand the climate challenge.

Like all farmers I am continually learning, but I will never allow anybody tell me I can’t comment as I’m “just a farmer”.