The IFA believes the Climate Action Bill “did not receive proper scrutiny”.
Its leader, Tim Cullinan, spoke following last night’s Dáil vote, which saw 128 TDs vote in the bill’s favour.
The IFA president said that he was “very disappointed” that the Dáil passed the bill without Minister Eamon Ryan accepting any amendments.
“There were 111 amendments to be decided, but the debate was guillotined as the second amendment was being discussed. It’s an affront to democracy,” he said.
“Over the last few days, IFA has received assurances from Government TDs that the concerns we have raised are addressed implicitly in the Bill.”
“We believe the bill would have benefitted from the further clarity that our proposed amendments would have brought.”
“However, we will hold the Minister and Government deputies to undertakings they have given, particularly in relation to carbon budgets taking account of sequestration as well as emission.”
“This is the best country in the world to produce food. We will continue to fight to ensure that every farmer can continue to earn a living and not have their livestock numbers cut or restricted,” he said.
Concluding, the farm leader said farmers will continue to play their part in climate action. He added that they will adopt technologies that reduce methane and contribute positively to water quality and biodiversity.
But, he warned, “targets for our sector must be realistic and achievable”.
Rural Independents say government have turn their backs on family farms
Meanwhile, the Rural Independents Group has warned the bill will “hammer every single citizen from now to 2050 and beyond”.
They said that “legislation was rammed through, without proper scrutiny, devoid of changes and refusal to take on board any of the concerns of rural residents and farmers”.
The group’s leader, Mattie McGrath, said their actions mean a vote for:
- Increased costs on all consumer goods;
- Much more expensive electric bills;
- Culling the cow herd;
- Ending turf cutting;
- Also, ending rural one-off housing.
“Rural people now face the ending of rural one-off housing and of traditional turf cutting under this legislation.”
He believes the consequences mean a complete sell-out by the government of the domestic economy, rural communities and the public.
