Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, has stated that he believes Ireland’s journey to net-zero is one of “opportunity for Irish family farms”.
He is of the view that diversification will enable young people to see farming as a “viable” future for them and their families.
That is what he conveyed during his appearance on Today with Claire on RTÉ Radio 1 with presenter, Philip Boucher-Hayes, on Friday morning (July 29th).
Boucher-Hayers asked him about his vision for the future of a family farm-based dairy sector after 2030 and asked if they would be driven from the land as a part of “some environmental master plan”.
Irish family farms
In response, the minister said: “The first priority is protecting the family farm. We are part of nature and connected to the environment.”
He said farmers will be “essential” in managing and maintaining our environment.
“I do not believe the current system actually pays and benefits a lot of family farms.”
“I do not believe that it gives a really good income to encourage a lot of young people to go into farming and forestry.”
“So, this change, I think, is going to be good. We need to give a clear signal that there will be a good income for family farms so that you know, with confidence, for the next three decades that if I go in this direction, I will be able to raise a family and have a really purposeful, hugely purposeful social life.”
“And the other part of this, we export most of our farm, agricultural produce. We trade on an Origin Green brand. We cannot trade on a false brand.”
“Greenwashing would be the worst sin and the biggest risk to Irish agriculture,” he concluded.
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