May 27, 2010

Ireland has no plans to cut livestock numbers to meet carbon emission target

The Irish government has ruled out cutting Irish livestock numbers to reduce carbon emissions and there are compelling environmental and economic reasons for this, according to the Minister of State for Agriculture Seán Connick.

It would be counterproductive because Ireland is a leading beef and dairy produce exporter and any Irish shortfall would be replaced with produce from other countries with far less sustainable farming systems, resulting in increased emissions.

Ireland has high greenhouse gas levels linked to livestock emissions, but the minister said the agriculture sector would continue to play a significant role in reducing national greenhouse gas emissions.

He was confident national and international research would yield new effective, measurable and verifiable means to offset greenhouse gas emissions from the sector.

Global food demands will rise by 70% with population increase and it would be wrong to forgo these lucrative export opportunities for a short-term gain in terms of national emissions reductions targets, Connick said.