Mr. Gerry Loftus:

I thank the committee for the invitation to address it today. I am accompanied by my colleague, Ms Bridget Murphy, who will answer some of the members' questions. My other colleague in the Public Gallery is Mary Rooney from Leitrim, who is chair of Cavan west.

The simple truth about climate change is that we have ignored it for too long. Our beef, dairy, sheep and timber plantations have made a significant contribution to the modern Irish economy but, unfortunately, this contribution has come at a very high cost of loss of biodiversity, loss of soil fertility, considerable air and water pollution from chemical fertiliser, and a significant contribution to greenhouse gas in our atmosphere. In fact, if climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution costs were included in the true cost of producing beef, dairy and sheepmeat, much of Ireland's agrifood sector would instantly lose its economic viability and green image. We talk about having to farm this way to feed the world's growing population, but at the same time we are struggling to find markets for our beef and dairy and the farmer is no better off for all his work. We must rethink how we feed the world. It is no use doing so at the expense of our land, water, air and the other non-human species with whom we share the planet.

Looking to the future, farmers are responsible for many things, not least feeding ourselves and the world's growing population and being the country's first line of defence against climate change. We will do this at the same time as restoring biodiversity and soil fertility, eliminating our pollution, and reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. This is a huge task, and to meet it, the role of farmers will undergo massive change. The INHFA's approach in tackling this task is led by common sense more than other more sophisticated agriculture models. This is not to say that science and technology are not important in our approach, but making the right choices about what we are facing requires wisdom, a vision for the future, values and the fact that we choose to care about the farmers, our environment, health, culture and identity, and our future. We support the approach that understands farmers are not just producing commodities but are taking care of the health of society by providing natural food. They are taking care of the health of the ecosystem by preserving biodiversity and environmental services. They are also taking care of the health of rural communities by generating an adequate income for their families while preserving the cultural heritage of society in terms of tradition and historical landscapes.

We will need new tools, skills and resources. We must have upskilled Departments that work much more closely together. Bodies such as the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, will have to be far better funded and resourced. Others such as Coillte will require a new remit and a board with environmental and change management expertise. Schools, agriculture colleges and universities will require new curricula. The INHFA would like to see a great deal more research undertaken on land use and management in the uplands and designated lands. More importantly, we want those who are deciding what to do to speak to us, especially farmers who farm mountain commonage and Natura-designated land and valuable carbon-rich soils. Let our inherited knowledge and direct experience of these high nature value areas help to design the programme of schemes that will deliver on the task we have as well as provide a livelihood for farm families into the future.