Irish dairy farmers also fear climate plans

Irish dairy farmers fear a new plan from the government of Ireland to cut greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 2030% by 25. 

Ireland's 135.000 farms together produce 37,5% of national emissions, the highest share in the European Union, The Guardian reports. Most of it comes from methane that cows emit. In the Netherlands, the share of agriculture in greenhouse gas emissions (including CO2, methane and nitrous oxide) in 2020 was 10,3% according to Eurostat figures. In the EU this was on average 11,4%.

In other sectors, the reduction targets are higher: in transport, greenhouse gas emissions must be halved and commercial and public buildings must be reduced by 40%. The European Union has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030% by 55. EU emissions were 2020% below 34 levels in 1990, according to data from the European Environment Agency.

Until recently, dairy farmers were encouraged by the Irish government to expand. Farmers have invested heavily and the dairy herd has grown by almost half in the last decade. 90% of butter, cheese and other products are exported, according to the newspaper.

So far there are no Dutch style protests from farmers, writes The Guardian. 

Linda van Eekeres

Linda van Eekeres is co-writing editor-in-chief. She mainly focuses on macro-economic developments and the influence of politics on the agricultural sector.

l.vaneekeres@boerenbusiness. Nl

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