Action needed to secure buy-in from sceptical farming sector on green measures in Ireland

Published 2023년 3월 20일

Tridge summary

Ireland's agricultural sector has seen significant growth since joining the EEC in 1973, with EU membership providing substantial support for farm incomes. However, as the economy diversified and the role of agriculture declined, the sector now faces new challenges, particularly in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Action Plan 2021 aims for a 20-30% reduction in agricultural emissions by 2030, with a focus on reducing the cattle herd and possibly restricting dairy sector output. The new CAP Strategic Plan 2023-27, with a budget of €9.8 billion, supports this transition with incentives for diversification, farm modernisation, and agri-environmental schemes. Despite the funding and strategic alignment, the implementation of these plans is expected to be challenging for the farming community, especially for those with beef cattle enterprises, highlighting the need for effective communication and support from relevant authorities to ensure a smooth transition and the achievement of both agricultural and environmental goals.

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Original content

A new era began for Ireland and particularly for Irish agriculture in 1973, with entry to the then EEC offering attractive and guaranteed terms to major market outlets. Initial expectations were quickly realised. The raising of farm incomes to a level far exceeding what it otherwise would be outside the community has been the most significant impact of EU membership on Ireland. That contribution was particularly transparent in the past 20 years or so when direct payments from the CAP regularly accounted for over half of total farm income and occasionally much more when farming had a difficult market year. With the rapid expansion in other sectors of the economy, the role of agriculture in the national economy has inexorably declined in common with that in virtually every other country in the developed world. Some structural features of farming have changed greatly since EU entry.The big beasts in agriculture now are cattle and milk production, accounting for up to 70 per cent of ...

Source: Irishtimes