Speaking at The Tullamore Show this past weekend, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue said that, “It will be a decade of change for the sector, but the bedrock will continue to be high-quality dairy, beef and sheep proteins, as well as our tillage crops for the net 10, 20 and 30 years plus.”
In the face of this, he added that it is important that, “We as a farming and agri sector remain united and together over the next decade”.
The Minister commented that reaching the 25% carbon emissions reduction target is a challenge, but in his view, is an achievable ambition. “My overarching ambition was twofold; to ensure that we keep farmers farming now and into the future for the next generation while working hard to reduce emissions from the sector.”
“There is no measure or policy that will be forced upon farm families and as I’ve always done since I was appointed, I will engage meaningfully with farmers and their representatives. I think it’s fair to say that there will be change to the methods of farming over the next decade, especially in the area of increased use of energy generation.”
“There is a very clear recognition of the very key role agriculture can and will play in decarbonisation our energy system. As well as making rapid developments in technologies, there will be significant opportunities like anaerobic digestion, solar and forestry, which will provide opportunities for farmers who wish to consider additional income sources,” he said.