Government-supported teaching material encouraging children to reduce meat and dairy consumption has attracted strong criticism from the IFA.

An Taisce’s Green Schools climate change teacher pack offers a template for each school to set its own action plan, including “to reduce the volume of meat and dairy consumed in school”.

It suggests schools run a #MeatlessMonday campaign and students are encouraged to make a public climate pledge.

IFA president Joe Healy has said the resource goes “beyond the remit of An Taisce and is not consistent with dietary advice given by the Department of Health, the competent authority, on balanced diets”.

He called for the withdrawal of the teacher resource pack and a review of An Taisce’s role in the Green Schools programme.

“What our children are taught in school should be based on scientific findings proofed by the appropriate State agencies and Government departments,” Healy said.