Clare’s Green Senator insists the agricultural emissions deal is not all doom and gloom for farmers.
A reduction of 25 per cent for the agriculture sector was agreed by government ministers after extensive talks this week.
The Government last evening agreed sectoral emission ceilings aimed at more than halving carbon pollution by 2030.
The agriculture sector will have to cut its emissions by 25 per cent after divisive negotiations.
Others like electricity will see a 75 per cent reduction, with a halving of transport emissions planned.
Environment Minister, Eamon Ryan says the climate doesn’t have time for a ‘political compromise’ and changes are necessary for all sectors of the economy.
While, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue says farmers will not have to make any cuts to their cattle herds.
The agreement has been criticed by farmers, with the IFA saying it will lead to ‘devastating’ reductions in revenues in some communities.
But Inagh-based Green Senator Roisin Garvey says her party isn’t out to get farmers and that its important to work together to ensure they benefit from the changes.
She believes new incentives for carbon farming and rewetting their land will pave the way for farmers to make more money.
Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD believes farmers have been unfairly maligned over the past number of weeks.
Cathal Crowe says farmers believed they could achieve 22% emissions cuts, but there will be a lot of heavy lifting to achieve a further 3%.
Deputy Crowe is hopeful that it can be achieved targetted measures, which will be outlined in Budget 2023.
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