Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton has been called on to suspend the Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) following its proposal to cut the suckler herd.

The calls come from the Irish Natura and Hill Farmers Association (INHFA), which said recommending a cut in suckler numbers of up to 52% while giving dairy “a free pass” damaged the CCAC reputation.

INHFA president Colm O’Donnell said the advisory committee should be suspended pending a review into all aspects of the committee including its science. O’Donnell said the analysis conducted in reaching the final conclusions needed to be clarified.

Studies

O’Donnell questioned whether there have been any Irish studies on greenhouse gas emissions from the suckler, sheep or dairy sectors which also factored in the carbon sequestered by land.

He branded the report contradictory, saying it called for a reduction in the national suckler herd to address an issue caused mainly by the dairy herd. He said emissions were being reduced “to help combat localised environmental degradation on farms where intensive production and high ammonia emissions are polluting the atmosphere”.

The INHFA also said it was unacceptable to base the proposal to reduce the suckler herd on profitability.

O’Donnell said: “Coal is still the most financially efficient means of producing electricity but no one is suggesting this as a viable option in terms of addressing the climate change challenge.”

Read more

Dairy sector given free pass in climate report – INHFA

Hit derogation farmers first with BEAM nitrogen reduction - INHFA