Minister for State Pippa Hackett recently commented that “there should not be a split in Irish agriculture where one cohort of farmers farms exclusively for nature and another exclusively for food production.” Addressing the Seanad, she said that around two thirds of the land of Ireland is farmland, and that it was critical farmers play a central role in “that all-of-society conversation on how we can reverse biodiversity loss.”
In the Green Minister’s view, it is vital that members of the public participating in the Citizens Assembly on Biodiversity Loss listen to the vices of farmers. He said: “The simple reality is if we are to turn the tide on the biodiversity crisis, we will only be able to do so with the help of our farmers, who need to be in the room contributing to the conversation on how best we can do that.”
She pointed out that biodiversity does not recognise borders or field boundaries, land parcels or herd numbers. “That is why it is essential to embrace farming practices that support biodiversity across the whole farm. A whole-farm approach should not confine biodiversity to a small strip or corner of a field.”
She said that farming for nature and food production should go hand in hand. The Minister also highlighted the benefits she has seen from organic farming on her own farm, adding that: “we know the benefits for biodiversity that go with organic farming”.