Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue has said there is currently a “tremendous and mounting pressure on farmers that is universally unfair”.

The minister said he echoed and supported the Taoiseach’s comments on the ongoing An Taisce and Glanbia court battle.

“Now appears to be the right time to draw a line under the situation and move on – further disruption and conflict will not serve our sector or, indeed, our country well as it could impact on our reputation as being an open and foreign direct investment-friendly country,” he told the Irish Farmers Journal.

We must remember that all sectors have to play their part

“I know Glanbia and An Taisce have been in contact and I would urge both sides to engage meaningfully to find common ground for the good of our farmers, our economy and our environment.”

In a speech to the Dáil on Wednesday night, the minister was expected to highlight the huge efforts farmers make to address the climate and biodiversity challenges.

He was expected to say that the “current narrative of farmers being laggards is wrong, it is unfair and it is stacked against the thousands of farmers who are embracing the challenge.

“We must remember that all sectors have to play their part – energy, transport, construction – all sectors will have to step up to the plate and I will not allow farming to be scapegoated for others.”

He added that if the science points farmers in a certain direction, farmers will take the lead and they must be given financial supports to ensure the viability of farms.