Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Wallace has guaranteed himself a headline, but I do not believe it is based on any kind of fact. It is extraordinary of him to say our dairy and beef is the most climate-destructive form of food production. We are having a dialogue of the deaf. In terms of the carbon footprint per kilo of output our dairy industry is the most efficient in the world and our beef is the fifth most efficient. Whether we are fifth, sixth or first, we all acknowledge that in the dairy and beef sectors we must do far more. The industry is up for it. However, we are seeking a fair crack of the whip in terms of the public debate.

Let us consider the efforts farmers are making. Deputy Wallace comes from a farming constituency. Farmers there are leading the way in terms of their embrace of new technologies and ideas, especially carbon footprint measuring on farms. We are extraordinarily efficient in this regard. The post-dairy quota era has proven that we have broken the link between increased output and increasing greenhouse gas production. Since 2015 we have increased our dairy production by 13.2% but our greenhouse gas emissions have only gone up by 1.6%. This is significant in that we are breaking the link between increased production and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

We need to continue that direction of travel. There is real goodwill and willingness on the part of the agricultural community to play its part. It is a progressive industry that has young people who are keen to have a career and do the right thing. However, they deserve a fair crack at the whip for their efforts.

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