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THERE NEEDS TO be a reset in the relationship between Irish politicians and farmers, Taoiseach Simon Harris has said.
Speaking during a visit to the National Council of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) in Dublin, Harris said politicians talk about farming in a way they would not about any other part of the Irish economy.
He also said that the farming community requires support to help the sector to meet ambitious environmental targets.
And though agriculture emissions fell by 4.6% in 2023 when compared to 2022, that represents only a 2.9% fall in emissions since 2018.
The Climate Change Advisory Council’s latest progress report on the 2024 Climate Action Plan highlighted continued progress towards Ireland’s climate targets but cautioned that there is still work to be done when it comes to organic farming.
Speaking to the media ahead of addressing the national council of the IFA, Harris said: “I think we have to press reset on the relationship with farmers.
“I definitely know from speaking to farmers that they feel that they are talked at and talked down to far too often.
“There is a climate emergency in the world, there is no doubt about that, the planet is on fire and there is a need to take action, but the responsibility for all of that doesn’t all fall to farmers.
“I hear politicians talking about farming in a way they wouldn’t talk about any other part of the Irish economy.
“We have to help farmers, we have to help them transition.
“Yes, we need to take climate action but we also need to produce food, it is a really important part of our Irish economic model.
“At a time when the risk of a trans-Atlantic trade shock is rising and the impact that can have on foreign direct investment in Ireland and in Europe, it is more important than ever that we support Irish indigenous business.
“There is nothing more indigenous than Irish farming.”
The Fine Gael leader said politicians needs to realise that farming is “not a hobby”.
He added: “When parties, including my own, publish our manifestos, a lot of the projects in those manifestos are funding off the back of tax receipts paid by the agri-food sector in Ireland.”
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald also addressed the National Council today.
In his address, Martin said government needed to “break the cycle of insecurity” which farmers face.
He said: “I want us to move on to a new agenda of permanent security for farming and for the expansion of our agri-food industry as an economic anchor for our country.
“In the manifesto we released yesterday we provide over 280 million euro per year in new funding for agriculture.”
-With additional reporting from Diarmuid Pepper
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If only his party had been in power the last….. oh eahhhh wernt they part of the government looking to cull the national herd, struck deals to import beef raised on bulldozed rainforest land, left roads in farming communities like North Offaly fall asunder while letting massive energy companies use the same roads to build their green infrastructure? Think a full reset of government is needed at this stage
@Ross: sensational Simon is playing a blinder
FG have lost the room on everything. Housing, their immigration, cost of living, youth emigration, their overspends. Vote them out
@F1rYnpWc: most popular party :)
“Politicians have to presd reset on their relationship with farmers.”
.
.
Translation:
Tell whatever lies and make whatever false promises you have to, just to get farmers votes.
It’s only electioneering after all is said and done….
@Dvsespaña: As usual, he says things that mean nothing. What actions does ‘reset’ actually mean. Same with his term ‘unacceptable ‘. Uses these terms that have no actions. He stated that Irish road deaths have reached the ‘crossroads’ again, which means nothing with no actions.
Hopefully the farmers won’t forget how FG/FF/Greens treated them for the last few years. They let those deluded clowns in the greens pillory the farmers juat to maintain power.
He has betrayed us in the west and sold us out. Good riddance to his ilk.
Ya Simon, your Govs narrative of ‘Cows farts are bad’, ‘Datacentres are Good’ needs to be reevaluated.
No point talking about climate change and the environment if mercosur goes through.
We can forget about our lovely Irish beef then.
Simple Simon says a lot but does naff all,trying to hold the voters to ransom with what he promises
Press reset on relationship with farmers, so that we forget murder cover ups (Jo Jo Dullard) Fine Gael laugh at you behind your back and to your face…..
Well there is so much bureaucracy coming from Brussels towards the farming community, You will really wonder what’s it all for?? The Mersocur Trade Deal is a deal for non traceable meat from Brazil entering the European Union and involves the bull dozing of the Amazon Rainforest to meet the demands of the EU. Meanwhile we are being taxed to oblivion with extra taxes on climate change
50 shades of Harris in wonderland would make a good night at the gaiety.
I get the impression the Harris hop is getting a bit of a roasting with the Farmers and teachers.
Remember the blaze of enthusiasm around Varadker now a Beaten docket
So now he says it cause he wants their vote’s that’s the typical politician campaign drivel.
Ha Simon, everyone sees through your 50 shades of Simon, gaslighting spin waffle empty promises, this won’t be tolerated bull, him and his party are going to be landed on there arse come polling day
If I didn’t know better I would think there is an election upcoming
Mary Lou has no silver bullet seemingly…. Plenty of other bullets but no silver one.
@Ben dover: Quick BenDover ffg are lining you up for more of the same
@Ben dover: the pedo cult are in total panic
Farmers are doing ok in the ploughing furrow of this government and always will, no such thing as the poor farmers anymore.
Micheal Martin made a promise, a red line issue to Farmers on the Nitrates Derogation issue & nobody in the IFA HQ questioned him, when Micheal & Conalogue as part of Govt said previously that Irish Farmers must meet the EU Regulations ! No wonder Irish Farming is in trouble when the IFA leaders haven’t the balls to call out the Lies & False Promises, they must be all FF stooges. The three parties in Coalition abandoned Irish Farmers & Growers, they couldn’t actually give a toss about them. Irish Farming is doomed as it’s diluted & has no Leaders in any of the representative bodies, just Lick Arses to the Govt parties.
Farmers need to press reset on themselves and change from industrial farming rather than trying to blackmail politicians to suit the likes of Larry Badman and other super wealthy people who are only interested in profit!
Upfront last night, both ffg. argued with panel. journal fact check ffg mislead on all accounts. So, nothing out of your mouths can be believed at this stage. RBB on the nail that private builders propping you up.
Hi folks.
I hate what industrial farming is doing to our land, like detest it but this is my response to the article on the basis that bridges need to be rebuilt in society if the American election has proven anything, communication must happen and be effective.
https://greenlens.ie/2024/11/12/the-hidden-cost-of-intensive-farming-in-ireland-working-together-for-a-sustainable-future/
I decided I have more to say than can be said in the comments but the articles and comments on them in particular are what prompted me to start collecting my thoughts somewhere I could explore them and work on them.
@Chutes: oh look brendan the loon pretending to be chutes! So so obvious! The resident journal clown!
@Chutes: you are one strange dude I say.
@Buster Lawless: Still at it then Buster/Frank/all the others whose names I didn’t bother to retain coz it’s stupid how many you are; quelle surprise, projection works I guess!
Once again for the cheap seats, it’s just me dude! Has only ever been! That a few others might occasionally agree with me does not make them anything like me mate lol! There’s only one Chutes!
@Ned: Oh ya! Imagine having to actually be me, it aint no picnic ngl lol!
@Buster Lawless: Anything of substance you have to reply?
Animal farming, including fish farming, is destroying land and waters.
@Chutes: fair play to ya.
@Wolfgang Bonow: you do realize animals make soil fertile. They give it the energy and nutrients to grow healthy crops. What they hell are you talking about.
FF just hung FG under the bus JC HN
Especially if you want their votes after treating them like dirt for the past decade. Well done Simon. Vote SF.
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