DEAR SIR:

I was gobsmacked to read your editorial of 14 August, in which the only reference you made to the recent IPCC 2021 report was to suggest that methane from livestock has been disproportionately blamed for increasing GHGs, almost as if to say: “not really our problem”.

This is a gross misrepresentation of the message in the IPCC report and ultimately does a disservice to Ireland’s farming community.

Despite clear and strengthening evidence that modern agricultural practices contribute significantly to climate change (not to mention biodiversity loss, water pollution, antibiotic resistance, etc), there are still those, who represent farming interests, that try to deflect from this reality.

The IFA, in particular, has been guilty of this, but unfortunately the Irish Farmers Journal has also, on occasion, contributed to this narrative.

Focusing on the argument over the influence of biogenic methane versus carbon dioxide, as the take-home message from the IPCC report, really misses the seriousness of the message and the need to act urgently to reverse the negative trends.

Farmers deserve to be told the truth on these issues by the people who represent them, and not some sugar-coated version that would have them believe that the status quo can continue or some minimally-adjusted version of the status quo.

I fully accept that Irish agriculture, with its largely grass-based system, may cause significantly less environmental harm than agriculture systems in some other countries, but to describe Irish agriculture in its present form as “sustainable” is simply untrue. A system that is heavily reliant on artificial fertilisers, pesticides and imported animal feed is not environmentally sustainable.

I want to emphasise that this is not “farmer bashing”; I don’t blame individual farmers for these consequences as farmers are simply undertaking practices they have been taught as “best practice”.

However, as our knowledge and understanding grows, and the environmental impact of agriculture becomes ever clearer, we need to adjust accordingly. Those who speak for, and represent farmers, need to genuinely face up to the scientific realities.

I have no doubt that the vast majority of farmers want to be truly sustainable. Farmers are a key part of the environmental solution and I certainly believe they need to be supported, financially and otherwise to achieve this.

A truly sustainable and healthy food production system, that minimises environmental harm, is one where the majority of consumed produce is grown or reared within, or close to, a region, ideally as chemical-free as possible, and is predominantly plant-based.

The fact that two of Ireland’s largest food imports are potatoes and apples clearly demonstrates that we are a long way away from this position.