First, Dutch farmers were threatened with compulsory farmland purchases to meet European Union emissions targets, and now, it’s Ireland’s turn.
According to reports, Irish government officials are discussing plans to cull about 200,000 cows because they believe it will help them meet climate targets. Like the Dutch’s situation, the scheme will include financial reimbursement for farmers who voluntarily give up their livestock.
The Irish Mirror stated that the cattle would be “culled” over a period of three years. The Telegraph published more information on the plans, stating that the cull is aimed at cutting the nation’s dairy herd by 10 percent over a period of three years. The final goal? To cut emissions by 25 percent before the end of the decade.
“Reports like this only serve to further fuel the view that the government is working behind the scenes to undermine our dairy and livestock sectors,” said Tim Cullinan, president of the Irish Farmers’ Association. Cullinan told The Telegraph that the plan would shift beef production out of Ireland. “While there may well be some farmers who wish to exit the sector, we should all be focusing on providing a pathway for the next generation to get into farming.”
The Irish Department of Agriculture is considering the slaughter of 65,000 head per year over the three-year period.
“We’re the one industry with a significant roadmap, and, to be quite honest with you, our herd isn’t any larger than it was 25 to 30 years ago,” said Pat McCormack, president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, to Fox. ”Can the same be said for the transport industry, can the same be said for the aviation industry?”
The interesting piece to all of this is that, as McCormack noted, the Irish cattle herd hasn’t grown that much over the last 25 to 30 years. Meanwhile, the country’s dairy farmers have been focusing on multispecies grazing, methane-reducing diets, selecting for the most efficient cattle, and other strategies to improve soil health and decrease emissions in their herds, according to The Irish Times.
»Related: Netherland’s green agenda still threatens farming industry
