IFA Says Youth Are Misled on Environmental Claims
IRELAND - IFA Munster Vice President Sean O’Leary who is Chairman of the IFA Climate change working group criticised Environment Minister John Gormley’s short sighted comments, encouraging young people to stop eating beef.
17 November 2008
1 minute read
He said: “Irish farmers produce the most environmentally sustainable beef in Europe. Minister Gormley must not mislead young people and deprive them from a key source of protein.”
Sean O’Leary told the climate change conference in Cork today that diary cows and beef cattle emit less green house gases (GHG) now than ever before.
Speaking at the Partnership for change Climate change forum he said “technological advances in dairy production have led to a 12.4% reduction in the amount of methane produced per kg of milk between 1990 and 2006. In addition a 29% increase in the amount of cattle sold early for consumption has resulted in further GHG emissions decline.”
Agriculture emissions have declined by 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent since 1990. A 35% reduction in nitrogen has provided significant reduction, accounting for 0.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year.
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