UFU alarmed at new climate change info

In response to questions on climate change, the DAERA Minister outlined that the independent experts on the Climate Change Committee (CCC) have stated that even with a 50 percent reduction in meat and dairy production and a significantly greater amount of tree planting in NI, it would not be enough to reach net zero here by 2050.

Understanding the difficulties associated with trying to achieve net zero by 2050 in NI and in line with the advice of the CCC, the DAERA Minister is proposing an 82 percent reduction in emissions in NI by 2050. However, this will still be very challenging for agriculture.

UFU president Victor Chestnutt said: “We’re absolutely gobsmacked that the latest advice to the DAERA Minister has clearly indicated that a 50 percent reduction in both meat and dairy production across NI would not be enough to reach net zero here by 2050, and yet, there are proposals supported by a number of our local political parties outlining that NI should legislate for net zero by 2045. It’s completely unacceptable. Why are they refusing to listen to the advice of the CCC and why have they become so intent on destroying one of our most successful industries?

“We accept that our farmers must take action to reduce emissions and we have reiterated on numerous occasions that as a key part of the climate change solution, our members are committed to doing all they can to address the issue - especially when it impacts them so significantly.

“The agri-food industry will do everything it can to reduce emissions and work towards net zero while producing high-quality food but we cannot accept bad legislation that could wipe out half of our livestock farmers just to meet a legislative target that does not seem to have any scientific basis.

“This isn’t about the economy versus the environment, this is about tackling a real problem in a balanced and sustainable way. If we were to do otherwise, we would simply be exporting our industry overseas with no benefit whatsoever to global warming as we would be contributing to carbon leakage instead.

“Taking this matter further, we have invited the five political parties to meet with a group of farmers next week. We look forward to hearing their views on this, but we will be making it very clear that the destruction of our livestock industry and NI food production is not the right way to go.”