Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Farmers are being told that crazy targets of 22% to 30% are to be set for a reduction in agricultural emissions. Targets, if set at these levels, will decimate farmers, particularly those at the lower income end. KPMG stated that 56,000 jobs will be lost if these targets are set and imposed. Those are rural Ireland jobs. At a time when we face the worst cost-of-living crisis in living memory, and where we no longer produce sugar or mill flour, the Tánaiste’s party wants to put many farmers in rural Ireland on the breadline. Why is his party abandoning the rural farmers and their families? These are farmers who the Tánaiste’s party once regarded as its heartland voters. Why is the Government imposing crazy, batshit, urban-centric policy without justification, with targets which are draconian and unrealistic on farmers, and decimating rural Ireland in the process?

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