Opinion: Could climate change be a good news story for Irish agriculture?

I think it’s safe to confirm that climate change is a reality. What’s more, this process continues to build momentum.

The intensity of the weather changes that have impacted across Ireland and the rest of Europe over the past number of years must be fully recognised.

And agriculture, as an industry, must respond accordingly in ways that makes sense across the industry as a whole

But this is far from bad news for farming in Ireland.

Situated as we are on the north-west tip of Europe, the influence Atlantic Ocean continues to moderate the impact of the heatwaves that wreaked havoc in place like East Anglia and most other parts of England and Wales.

In turn, this means that grass continues to grow, for the most part, throughout the summer months across the island of Ireland.

If this remains the case, then the outlook for our dairy, beef and sheep sectors remains extremely positive.

Food security

Meanwhile, food security levels in the European Union continue to falter. Surely this state-of-affairs must give our politicians cause-for-thought

Currently, Ireland exports 80% plus of the beef, lamb, dairy and poultry produced within thr country.

But this is just scratching the surface in terms of what our local farming sectors could achieve, if they were properly incentivised.

Moreover, all of this additional food can be produced in a wholly sustainable manner.

New science and new technologies are acting to ensure that such is the case.

The only hold-up in the system is the snail’s pace at which politicians, sometimes, go about their business.

CAP

A case in point is the very conservative approach being taken to the current review of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

In truth, the measure has been failing in its purpose for many years.

What is required is a fundamental overhaul of the CAP: one that delivers for Irish farmers in a much more meaningful way.

Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has a unique opportunity to make this a reality over the coming weeks, courtesy of Ireland hosting the EU presidency.

But could there be some ambiguity between the end result of increasing food output and the consequences for the environment?

This will hardly be the case

Producing more food can only be achieved by farmers becoming more efficient. And increasing efficiency in this regard means driving sustainability standards in every sense.

So what we quickly end up with is a win/win scenario for production agriculture and society as a whole.

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