Background
The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA)1“Home,” Irish Farmers’ Association. Archived February 13, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/cRvkr is Ireland’s largest farming representative organisation and its most active lobbyist on agriculture, food and the environment.2“Search: Return submit date: From 01 Jan 2015; Public Policy Area: Agriculture, Food, Environment,” Lobbying.ie website, search August 6, 2024. Archived August 6, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/XBCte [Total such lobbying returns 8148 of which IFA’s 1748 is highest].
A successor to the National Farmers Association (NFA),3Gibbons, A.M. “Farmers on the Move : The Strategic Mobilisation of the Farming Lobby in 1960s Ireland”, University College Dublin, 2010. Archived February 29, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. the IFA was established in 1971 “to improve farm incomes and address issues across the entire spectrum of food production, constantly adapting to a rapidly changing economic and political environment”.4“Our History,” Irish Farmers’ Association. Archived February 16, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/5gaZP
The IFA claims to represent 72,000 farmers from all types and sizes of farms, with members organised in 947 branches and 29 county executives across Ireland.5Tim Cullinan. “Opening Statement by IFA President Tim Cullinan to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food & the Marine on the Crisis in the Sheep Sector 8th March 2023,” Oireachtas, March 8, 2023. Archived March 14, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/w2xzp
The IFA’s head office is based at the Irish Farm Centre in Bluebell, Dublin.6“Our Structure & Constitution.” Irish Farmers’ Association. 2024. Archived February 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/55JUg The centre is also home to the Irish Farmers Journal,7“Contact us – Farmers Journal,” Irish Farmers Journal. Archived July 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/AzWaP a weekly farming newspaper and website claiming 400,000 weekly readers, and Agri Aware,8“About us,” Agri Aware. Archived January 21, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/G1zqX a private charitable trust linked to the IFA and funded by the Irish farming and agri-food industry.
The IFA has been criticised for frequently opposing or delaying climate legislation in Ireland where the livestock sector accounts for 38 percent of national GHG emissions.9“Ireland’s Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2023 [landing page].” EPA. July 2024. Archived July 9, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kf3rB
For example, the IFA lobbied against the 2011 Climate Bill10John Gibbons. “Denial and self-interested delusion on Climate Bill.” ThinkOrSwim (the Climatechange.ie Blog) Archived June 30, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/DkhSn and opposed agricultural emission targets in 2015.11Wagner, P. and Ylä-Anttila, T. “Who got their way? Advocacy coalitions and the Irish climate change law.” Environmental Politics 27, 872–891, 2018. Archived August 8, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/5y1Nb The IFA was also accused of demonstrating a lack of balance in climate action conference presentations in 2018,12“Beware of ‘balance claims in agri debate,” An Taisce, January 20, 2020. Archived March 22, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/xq5wn and campaigning to reduce the agriculture sector’s emissions target in 2022.13Aisling O’Brien. “Claim 30% emissions target could “devastate” agriculture sector,” Agriland.ie. June 11, 2022. Archived June 11, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/HoASi
In September 2024, the IFA was among six groups that launched a coordinated lobbying push to retain the country’s derogation from the EU Nitrates Directive,14“Retaining Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation – Common Objectives – A Joint Declaration from Farm Organisations, Co-operatives and the Dairy and Meat Processors,” Irish Farmers Association, September 16, 2024. Archived September 18, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wJpIQ which aims to limit the livestock sector’s emissions of the powerful greenhouse gas nitrous oxide, and water pollution.15“Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed),” Joint Committee on Agriculture, 29 May 2024. Archived June 20, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/RZNCn (For more detail, see DeSmog’s background note on the EU Nitrates Directive).
Funding of Agri Aware
The IFA co-founded Agri Aware, a private charitable trust that describes itself as “an independent body to provide the general public with information and education on the importance of agriculture and food to the Irish economy”.16“About us,” Agri Aware. Archived January 21, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/G1zqX Agri Aware lists IFA as a patron (funder) on its website.17“Agri Aware Patrons,” Agri Aware. Archived September 24, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/zi76h
Agri Aware’s 2022 annual report claims the trust has “a large impact” via schools programmes, online, and in-person events. It reports a direct audience of 40,000 on its social media platforms, 570,000 exhibit attendees, and over four million views for a multimedia campaign.18“2022 Annual Report.” Agri Aware, 2023. Archived February 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/dIfPM The initiative also runs “Open Farm” and “Walk and Talk” events for the public, which in 2024 attracted thousands of students and visitors.
In 2020, DeSmog reported that workbooks produced by Agri Aware and distributed to over 3,000 primary schools had misrepresented the climate impacts of raising cattle and sheep. Professor John Sweeney, a climatologist at Maynooth University, told DeSmog “the simplistic and one-sided language in this publication presents a misleading educational message” that underplays methane emissions from livestock and suggests trees cancel them out.19John Gibbons. “How Big Ag is Influencing What Irish Students Learn About Climate Change,” DeSmog, December 12, 2020.
In 2016, Agri Aware received European Commission funding for the fourth consecutive year to provide agri-education communicating the EU subsidy Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).20Paul Mooney. “Agri Aware wins EU funding,” Irish Farmers Journal, May 4, 2016. Archived August 15, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/S0pD7 The same year, Agri Aware “secured agreement from government to update the Agricultural Science syllabus for leaving certificate students” according to a press release announcing its outgoing CEO’s new position as the director of communications for agricultural feed technology company Devenish.21“Agri Aware CEO to join Devenish as Director of Communication,” Devenish, May 12, 2016. Archived August 15, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.is/p4QVX
Agri Aware has run numerous campaigns, many of which promote meat and dairy, such as the “Pasture to Plate” programme.22“Pasture to Plate,” Agri Aware. Archived August 1, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.is/KxCxW In 2015, Agri Aware ran an “education campaign focused on the importance of the dairy industry and the role of dairy as part of a balanced diet”,23 “Welcome to Agri Aware.” Agri Aware. August, 2024. Archived August 2, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ASAhX which was co-funded by the National Dairy Council.24Joe Dermody. “Dairy Week to focus on health and nutrition” Irish Examiner, April 15, 2015. Archived February 13, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/OhTZ5
The IFA also part-funds the National Dairy Council (NDC), alongside a number of dairy companies and farm organisations. As of August 2024, two IFA committee members, Keith O’Boyle and Stephen Arthur, also sit on the NDC board.25 “Our Board.” National Dairy Council, August, 2024. Archived August 7, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GsPAf
The IFA 2023 annual report notes that the IFA’s central executive agreed that its Fresh Milk Producers (FM) committee would “invest in liquid milk’s promotion” by working with the NDC.26“Annual Report and Review of 2023,” Irish Farmers Association, 2024. Archived February 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ti8ea This includes a partnership with rugby player Gary Ringrose, who as a paid NDC ambassador has promoted the benefits of “Nature’s sport’s drink” through adverts and a TV series.
The NDC developed a “Moo Crew” programme, also supported by the Department of Agriculture with EU funding from 2020. In partnership with Agri Aware, the programme issued posters, booklets and other materials that directed teachers to “ask pupils to think of new ways they can incorporate milk, yoghurt and cheese into their diets”.27John Gibbons. “How Big Ag is Influencing What Irish Students Learn About Climate Change,” DeSmog, December 12, 2020.
In two separate cases, in December 202328Colman O’Sullivan. “ASAI upholds complaint about claim in dairy council ad,” RTÉ, December 24, 2023. Archived December 24, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/rnEgz and June 2024,29Rachel Donovan. “Advertising watchdog orders NDC to remove TV advert,” Irish Farmers Journal, July 4, 2024. Archived July 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/UVVzR the Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland ordered the National Dairy Council (NDC) to take down TV advertisements, upholding complaints that they were misleading.30Louise Hickey, “Advertising authority orders removal of NDC advert,” Agriland, July 5, 2024. Archived July 12, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/1tmfX The complaints objected to the use of greenwashing language and outdated research, which failed to acknowledge the increase in negative impacts on climate, water and biodiversity impacts due to Irish dairy farming.
Stance on Climate Change
In January 2024, new IFA president Francie Gorman described Irish farmers as the “unsung heroes of climate action and biodiversity.”31IFA, 2024. “Farmers Are the Unsung Heroes of Climate Action, New IFA President Tells AGM.” Irish Farmers’ Association. January 9, 2024. Archived February 7, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zCxja
The Irish livestock sector accounts for 38 percent of national GHG emissions and 99 percent of ammonia air pollution, while nitrate and phosphate nutrient losses from the livestock sector are the largest contributor to water body pollution.32“Ireland’s Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2023 [landing page].” EPA. July 2024. Archived July 9, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kf3rB (For more detail, see DeSmog’s background note Climate, air and water pollution from intensive agriculture).
Over the past decade, the IFA has frequently cited technology innovation and efficiency improvement as methods for reducing the agriculture sector’s climate impact.33“Technology and Efficiency Key to Climate Action in Agriculture.” Irish Farmers’ Association. January 21, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GWM5f
However, in 2021 the European Court of Auditors presented evidence that efficiency measures had so far failed to cut emissions. It stated that due to its growing livestock herd, Ireland had “seen substantial emissions increases”.34“Common Agricultural Policy and climate: Half of EU climate spending but farm emissions are not decreasing,” European Court of Auditors. June, 2021. Archived June 21, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YihLR
In a December 2022 blog post, then-IFA President Tim Cullinan responded to the Irish government’s Climate Action Plan, saying that further engagement was needed with farmers “to ensure we can reduce emissions while developing our sector.”35“Govt Must Engage with Farmers to Agree Way Forward on Climate Action & Food Production,” Irish Farmers Association, December 21, 2022. Archived December 5, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Rv1j0
Cullinan argued that the debate around climate policy had become “unnecessarily divisive with far too much focus on cattle numbers”, adding: “The focus must be on reducing emissions, not on reducing cattle numbers.”
The IFA frequently emphasises the sustainability of Irish farmers and farming. In May 2021, “in response to media commentary around agriculture”36“Environment & Rural Affairs Council Report June 2021,” Irish Farmers’ Association, June 9, 2021. Archived June 30, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.is/frH5r the IFA published a document, titled “Irish Farming – its Green Credentials” claiming that:37“Irish Farming – its Green Credentials,” Irish Farmers’ Association, 2021. Archived February 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/63GE1
“Irish farmers understand that they have a unique role to play in meeting the climate change challenge, however, this must be done in a fair and balanced way. In dealing with the climate change challenge, it is imperative that Irish farmers’ current sustainability credentials are fully acknowledged.”
The IFA’s “Green Credentials” document also stated that “Irish dairy and beef output is extremely efficient from a carbon footprint perspective”, emphasising the ability of agriculture to sequester carbon in soil, and pointing to the relatively low amount of energy used in Ireland’s largely grass-based farming.
However, agriculture’s ability to sequester carbon on a timescale long enough to address climate change has been refuted by academic research.38Joe Fassler. “Research Undermines Claims that Soil Carbon Can Offset Livestock Emissions,” DeSmog, February 1, 2024.
Other studies suggests Irish beef and milk production is not particularly carbon efficient when compared to other EU nations. A 2011 peer-reviewed study found Ireland’s beef carbon footprint to be substantially higher than the EU average,39Lesschen, J.P et al. “Greenhouse gas emission profiles of European livestock sectors. Animal Feed Science and Technology,” Special Issue: Greenhouse Gases in Animal Agriculture – Finding a Balance between Food and Emissions 166–167, 16–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2011.04.058 while results calculated40Alan Matthews. “Alan Matthews: Our ‘green’ farming credentials are set to come under greater scrutiny,” Irish Independent, February 13, 2019. Archived September 24, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. using the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s GLEAM methodology showed Irish emissions to be some of the highest in Europe.41“Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model (GLEAM),” United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Archived September 12, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/NaaVq
The IFA document also suggested that “methane emissions from our livestock and dairy sectors, which are biogenic in nature, merit differentiated treatment with regard to climate change [relative to fossil methane]”. IFA also noted that Ireland’s 2021 Climate Action & Low Carbon Development Bill “recognises the distinct characteristics of biogenic methane”, due to “strong engagement” from the IFA.
However, research reviewing the most recent IPCC scientific assessment found that, apart from “relatively minor accounting differences”, cutting methane emissions from agriculture is just as important as cutting methane from fossil fuel sources in national climate action consistent with meeting the Paris Agreement temperature goal.42Paul Price. “Carbon budgeting literature review: AR6-WGI addendum. An update to the April 2021 carbon budgeting literature review,” Climate Change Advisory Council, August, 2021. Archived February 7, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/g1OA5
There is a well-established body of climate research stating that “limiting climate change will require substantial and sustained reductions of all greenhouse gas emissions”,43Thomas Stocker et al. “Climate Change 2013 The Physical Science Basis,” Working Group I contribution to the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment. Archived December 26, 2018. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/f1UHQ including methane. Irish dairy expansion since 2010 has instead increased agricultural methane emissions.44 Paul Price. “Agricultural Methane in Irish Climate Action: greenhouse gas metrics, methane mitigation, and related quantification of livestock numbers,” An Taisce, June, 2024. Archived 18 June, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/gYDaQ
Key Actions
September 2024
The IFA was among six agricultural groups to issue a statement45“Retaining Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation – Common Objectives – A Joint Declaration from Farm Organisations, Co-operatives and the Dairy and Meat Processors,” Irish Farmers Association, September 16, 2024. Archived September 18, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wJpIQ and associated document 46“Retaining Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation – Common Objectives: A Joint Declaration from Farm Organisations, Co-operatives and the Dairy and Meat Processors,” Irish Farmers Association, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), Dairy Industry Ireland, Meat Industry Ireland, Macra. Archived September 23, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. on September 16 campaigning against the removal of Ireland’s Nitrates derogation, which allows selected farmers to spread more nitrates than is normally allowed under EU law, subject to specific environmental checks.
The statement – which was also supported by Dairy Industry Ireland (DII), Meat Industry Ireland (MII), the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), and Macra – warned of “widespread negative economic consequences for Ireland’s rural economy”.
It did not appear to address concerns about the negative impact on water and air from nitrate and phosphate losses from Ireland’s livestock sector, which are the largest contributor to water body pollution.47“Ireland’s Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2023 [landing page],” EPA. July 2024. Archived July 9, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kf3rB Ireland is just one of just five EU member states to have recently held derogations from the directive. (For more detail, see DeSmog’s background note on the EU Nitrates Directive).
January to February, 2024
Farmers in Ireland expressed solidarity with a wave of protests held across the EU in early 2024. The demonstrations were motivated by a range of factors, from low prices at the farmgate, fuel taxes and proposed green reforms, which aimed to limit pesticide and fertiliser use, and protect biodiversity.48Rachel Sherrington. “Are Europe’s Farmers Protesting Green Reforms? It’s Complicated,” DeSmog, February 7, 2024.
The IFA voiced its support for the protests, noting in a February 1 press release that “Irish Farmers are showing solidarity with farmers across Europe this evening”. Francie Gorman was quoted saying: “There is mounting frustration about the impact of EU policy on European farmers, and its implementation here in Ireland. The general feeling amongst farmers across the EU is that ‘enough is enough’”.49“Enough is Enough,” Irish Farmers’ Association, February 1, 2024. Archived February 1, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/xEsB4
RTÉ, Ireland’s state broadcaster, reported that “Irish farmers flexed their political muscles” and that political concessions were being made across Europe in response to farmers’ protests.50Joe Mag Raollaigh. “Farmers’ actions showing results both in Ireland and EU,” RTÉ, February 3, 2024. Archived February 7, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Wfjdn
In Ireland, RTÉ notes that farmers had staged protests around the country: “Led by the Irish Farmers’ Association, the thousands who took part brought their tractorcades into places from Cork city to Letterkenny, and from Galway city to rural Co Dublin.”
August 2023
The IFA complained about an August 28, 2023 post on X by Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that suggested reducing red meat consumption could make consumers “healthier, wealthier, and more fabulous”.51Joe Mag Raollaigh. “EPA deletes “eat less meat” tweet following IFA protest,” RTÉ News, August 28, 2023. Archived August 28, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/fKcdh The post also recommended reducing food waste, cutting meat intake over time, and trying out vegetarian recipes.
The IFA told the EPA that the post had caused “considerable anger amongst farmers who feel it goes beyond the remit of the EPA and is not consistent with Government dietary guidelines.””
After the IFA made a formal complaint, the EPA deleted the post and agreed to meet with the group.52Joe Mag Raollaigh. “EPA deletes “eat less meat” tweet following IFA protest,” RTÉ News, August 28, 2023. Archived August 28, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/fKcdh
Friends of the Earth Ireland’s chief executive Oisín Coghlan said that the EPA’s retraction could have a “disastrous chilling effect”.
“The State and state agencies have the right to tell us how we can reduce pollution, emissions, and promote health,” he said. “The EPA needs to stand up for basic science, especially with the scale of the challenges we face.”53Pádraig Hoare and Tadhg McNally. “Activists warn of “chilling effect” of EPA’s deletion of tweet on eating less red meat,” Irish Examiner, August 29, 2023. Archived August 30, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/5AxHB
February 2023
The release of a draft EPA report on future land use and forestry options sparked strong criticism from farming organizations – including the IFA and Irish Cattle and Sheep Association – which was then amplified by members of parliament representing rural constituencies.54John Gibbons. “Environmental debate turns nasty as politicians ratchet up the ugly rhetoric,” Irish Examiner, February 21, 2023. Archived February 22, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/FxftO
The published “Land Use Review” report identified alternative future land use scenarios in relation to climate action and biodiversity that included scenarios for a 30 per cent decrease in cattle and sheep numbers.55Haughey, E., Styles, D., Saunders, M., Coady, R.B., Moran, J.. “Land Use Review: Fluxes, Scenarios and Capacity: Synthesis Report (EPA Evidence Synthesis Report),” EPA, 2023. Archived March 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/66cED
Then-IFA President Tim Cullinan said that there would “be an uprising in rural Ireland if the Government were to do anything like this”, adding:56”EPA Commissioned Report is Fundamentally Flawed,” Irish Farmers’ Association, February 16, 2023. Archived March 16, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Wyk6H
“IFA recognises the climate challenge, and our members are keen to play their part. However, it will not be at the expense of their livelihoods. This Government and subsequent Governments must be under no illusion that if the recommendations contained within this report were enacted, rural Ireland would revolt.”
2022
Food Vision stakeholder group reports
In response to EPA reporting showing increasing negative climate and pollution impacts from livestock farming, the Minister of Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, established separate “Food Vision” stakeholder groups – for dairy, livestock, and arable (known as “tillage” in Ireland) – to consider how best to reduce the sector’s greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient pollution.57Joe Mag Raollaigh. “A year in agriculture that couldn’t have been predicted,” RTÉ, December 28, 2022. Archived January 5, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/uoWHW
The dairy Food Vision group’s final report, published on October 25, stated that the IFA had not endorsed its proposals, which included a plan to reduce chemical nitrogen use in the dairy sector by 2025 and more by 2030, and a voluntary exit/reduction scheme to reduce dairy herd numbers.58“Report Of Food Vision Dairy Group On Measures To Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions From The Dairy Sector,” Government of Ireland, October 25, 2022. Archived March 15, 2023. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog
The final report for the Beef and Sheep groups, published on November 30, stated that the IFA would not support the report’s mitigation proposals, stating: “the IFA is not supportive of measures which will result in a reduction in output”, unless additional funding was supplied “to support the economic viability of the suckler [beef cattle] sector”.59 “Final Report on the Food Vision Beef & Sheep Group to Mitigate GHG emissions from the Beef Sector“,” Government of Ireland, November 30, 2022. Archived March 15, 2023. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
2021-2022
The IFA lobbied to weaken targets contained in the July 2021 amended Climate Act, which stipulated that Ireland’s parliament (the Oireachtas) must set legally binding five-year carbon budgets to direct climate action, and noted that the Government would then set out constituent “sectoral emission ceilings” for different economic sectors, including agriculture.60“Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (amendment) Act 2021 (as Approved),” Government of Ireland, June, 2021. Archived January 22, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/ScDtZ
(“Sectoral emission ceilings” are a term for the maximum tonnes of CO2 equivalent gases (CO2e) that can be emitted over a five year period by agriculture and different sectors of the economy as laid out by the Irish government’s legally binding carbon budgets.)61“Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (amendment) Act 2021 (as Approved),” Government of Ireland, 2021. Archived January 22, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/ScDtZ
The Government’s Climate Action Plan had initially suggested a range for agriculture emission reductions of 22 – 30 percent by 2030, in response to the amended Climate Act in November 2021.62Rachel Martin. “Government sets out plans for 22-30% reduction in farming emissions,” Irish Examiner, February 20, 2021. Archived November 4, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.is/UnQTy
In July 2022, the IFA demanded that the Minister of Agriculture “must push back on any attempt to introduce a sectoral emission ceiling above 22%”. The group criticised a 30 percent reduction goal, saying it “would result in significantly reduced production” and “an increase in global emissions, as production will move to other countries with weaker climate policies”.63Aisling O’Brien. “Claim 30% emissions target could “devastate” agriculture sector,” Agriland.ie. June 11, 2022. Archived June 11, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/HoASi
Then-IFA President Tim Cullinan argued that farmers were being asked to bear a disproportionate burden of climate action, in a July 11 op-ed for The Irish Times. He also claimed “Emissions from biogenic sources such as cattle are part of the biological recycling of carbon and do not contribute to increased carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere,”
Researchers at Dublin City University critiqued Cullinan’s arguments as “misleading”, in The Irish Times. They stated that Cullinan had used “flawed premises” to support the notion that farmers were being unfairly treated.64Paul Price and Barry McMullin. “Climate crisis and agriculture: Opinions need to rest on facts,” The Irish Times, July 15, 2022. Archived July 15, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/0wqML
The researchers also critique Cullinan’s “recommended ‘alternative method of measuring the global warming potential’” of methane, a controversial metric called GWP*, which can be used to downplay the impact of livestock emissions.
When on July 28, the Government landed on the lower target of a 25 percent reduction by 2030 (relative to 2018 emissions) for agriculture within the agreed legally binding five-year carbon budgets for 2021–2025 and 2026–2030, Cullinan still argued that the target was “a potentially devastating blow for Irish farming and the rural economy” on the IFA website,65“Agriculture Sectoral Emissions Ceiling is a Potentially Devastating Blow for Irish Farming,” Irish Farmers’ Association, July 28, 2022. Archived July 28, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/JI61Q and denied that farmers were “getting off lightly” in comparison to other sectors.66Vivienne Clarke. “IFA denies farmers ‘getting off lightly’ in emissions deal,” BreakingNews.ie. Archived July 29, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/loZlv
By contrast, Marie Donnelly, chair of Ireland’s Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC) described the Government’s Sectoral Emission Ceilings decision as “problematic”.
According to Donelly’s statement the emissions ceilings also did not meet the requirements of the amended Climate Act, being insufficient to meet the carbon budgets to 2030 agreed by the Oireachtas, and excluding five-year emissions ceilings for the Land Use Sector.67Marie Donnelly. “CCAC Chair’s statement on sectoral emission targets,” Climate Change Advisory Council, July 20, 2022. Archived July 29, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/72tho
April 4, 2019
Then-IFA president Joe Healy accused environmental charity An Taisce of “crossing the line by including dietary advice” in a resource pack provided to schools that included a reference to balancing diets to include more vegetarian food.68“An Taisce Green Schools Pack Should Be Withdrawn Immediately,” Irish Farmers’ Association, April 4, 2019. Archived November 23, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.is/0x9gK
Healy said: “This is beyond the remit of An Taisce and it [is] not consistent with dietary advice given by the Department of Health, the competent authority, on balanced diets.”
The Irish creamery group the ICMSA supported the IFA’s accusation against An Taisce, concluding that the document “must be withdrawn immediately”.69Sylvester Phelan. “An Taisce programme slammed for “anti-livestock ethos,” Agriland.ie, April 4, 2019. Archived July 16, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.is/4gHnt
An Taisce described the criticism as a “hysterical reaction.70Robert Emmet Hernan. “Is abstaining from eating meat on Mondays a mortal sin?,” Irish Environment, May 1, 2019. Archived September 30, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/WcmTb An Taisce also quoted the Minister for Climate Action’s defence of the information pack, which was produced by the publicly funded Green Schools initiative, as a positive resource “to stimulate a discussion in the classroom”, rather than something the charity “recommended to be adopted”.
July 2019
The IFA’s national livestock chairman Angus Woods strongly rejected policy scenarios published by Ireland’s independent Climate Change Advisory Council (CCAC), which explored ways to help the country cut its agricultural emissions by cutting cattle numbers.
The scenarios estimated the impact of cutting the number of beef suckler cows in the national herd by 15, 30, or 53 percent by 2030 relative to 2018 emissions, while keeping dairy cow numbers at the 2018 level.71“Annual Review 2019,” Climate Change Advisory Council, July, 2019. Archived February 22, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
Woods said the proposals were “unacceptable, lazy and flawed”, adding: “It is totally wrong and unfair of the CCAC to try and push all of the weight of climate change on top of the suckler cow herd. The Council ignores the hard work of suckler farmers in addressing climate change.”72Aidan Fortune. “Irish farmers slam herd reduction idea,” Foodnavigator, July 26, 2019. Archived February 8, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/sLUNl
In 2022 beef cattle emitted around half of Ireland’s agricultural methane according to inventory data from Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).73“Agriculture_2022_WEM.” Inventory Excel workbook. EPA, 2024. Archived by DeSmog.
April 2018
In April 2018 Ireland’s Citizens’ Assembly report on climate change made two recommendations directly relevant to dairy and livestock production.74“Third Report and Recommendations: Climate Change,” Citizens’ Assembly, 2018. Archived June 9, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cwDnG
Following engagement with experts including agriculture specialists, the assembly’s randomly chosen Irish citizens endorsed a tax on greenhouse gases emitted by farms and “rewards for the farmer for land management that sequesters carbon”.
It also called on the government to “review and revise supports for land use diversification with attention to support for planting forests and encouraging organic farming”.
In an IFA press release commenting on the report, IFA then-president Joe Healy approved of Citizens’ Assembly points that would require greater government support for farmers, but he described the Assembly’s carbon tax proposal as a “no go”.
Healy also “called on all stakeholders to move on from the often divisive and unrealistic calls for Irish farmers to reduce their emission efficient model of dairy and beef production.”75“Carbon Tax a ‘No-Go’, but Some Useful Proposals in Citizens’ Assembly Report,” Irish Farmers’ Association, 2018. Archived November 29, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7fRkj
According to a March 2024 paper, which surveyed more than 200 environmental and agricultural scientists, global emissions from meat and dairy production need to decline by 50 percent during the next six years, with “high-producing and consuming nations” taking the lead, to align with the goals of the Paris Agreement.76Helen Harwatt el at. “Options For A Paris-Compliant Livestock Sector,” Harvard Law School, March 2024. Archived August 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/OIzX3
April 1, 2017
In a press release for the IFA, then-environment chairman Thomas Cooney accused environmental NGOs of a “continuous campaign of undermining the agri-food sector”.77“Selective Misrepresentation of Research by Environmental Ngos Undermines Their Credibility,” Irish Farmers’ Association. April 1, 2017. Archived March 24, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GHDcn
“These organisations have loads of data, but very little wisdom,” Cooney said. “They sit in judgement and criticism of the sustainable development of the agri-food sector, but provide absolutely no alternative coherent vision or plan for the sector.”
He continued: “No other country in the world measures, manages and monitors carbon from farm to fork like we do in Ireland.”
A 2021 analysis by the European Court of Auditors,78“Common Agricultural Policy and climate: Half of EU climate spending but farm emissions are not decreasing,” European Court of Auditors. June, 2021. Archived June 21, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YihLR as reported by the Irish Times,79Eoin Burke-Kennedy, 2017. “Ireland among three EU states to record increase in agricultural emissions,” The Irish Times, June 23, 2021. Archived June 23, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/CjrFR found that “Ireland was one of just three EU member states to record an increase in greenhouse gas emissions from livestock over the past seven years and is one of the highest emitters per hectare of agricultural land”.
September 30, 2016
In the trade publication Agriland, Seán Cummins reported that former Taoiseach (prime minister) Mary Robinson was “under fire” for recent comments on meat consumption. Cummins noted that the IFA had also criticised Robinson for her suggestion of eating less meat in response to climate change.80Patsy McGarry. “Farmers criticise Mary Robinson’s calls to ‘not eat meat’,” The Irish Times, September 30, 2016. Archived March 26, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/4Amt3
July 2016
Then-IFA President Joe Healy spoke at the MacGill Summer School 2016 during a session titled, “Are we facing up to the challenge of climate change?”81“Farmers Are Facing Up to the Climate Challenge,” Irish Farmers’ Association, July 21, 2016. Archived November 29, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/JA5UO
Healy said that the agriculture sector had an “obligation in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions”. In his speech, he also argued that focusing on improving the emissions intensity of meat and dairy production (the emissions per kg of milk or meat produced) was “the most appropriate climate barometer for agriculture”.
In 2023, analysis from state agriculture research agency Teagasc, found that measures to increase efficiency had also increased productivity, resulting in a very large “backfire” rebound effect that had substantially increased dairy emissions.82Gary Lanigan, Kevin Hanrahan, Richards, K.G.. “An Updated Analysis of the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Potential of the Irish Agriculture and Land-Use Sectors between 2021 and 2030,” Teagasc, July, 2023. Archived October 9, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/X2JmZ
Funding
The IFA’s primary source of income is from annual membership fees amounting to €10.3 million, according to financial statements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023. It does not receive grants from the Irish government.
The IFA’s listed major annual expenditures are for staff (€5.8 million) and IFA Telecom staff and expenses (€5.4 million).83“Annual Report And Consolidated Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2023,” Irish Farmers’ Association, 2023. Archived August 6, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. IFA Telecom is a telecommunications, broadband, and phone services business operated by IFA that generated €5.5 million in revenues between March 2022 and March 2023.
Lobbying
The IFA is one of the most active lobby groups in Ireland, submitting annual returns for around 200 meetings, letters and other interactions on agriculture, environment, and land use issues.84“The Irish Farmers’ Association – IFA,” Lobbying.ie. Archived August 6, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/rm96n
A Lobbying.ie search on the official register of lobbying records for agriculture, food and environmental lobbying, for January 1, 2015 to August 6, 2024, shows that the IFA is Ireland’s most active lobbyist in this area.85“Search: Return submit date: From 01 Jan 2015; Public Policy Area: Agriculture, Food, Environment,” Lobbying.ie, Accessed August 6, 2024. Archived August 6, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/XBCte A total of 8,148 lobbying such returns were recorded, of which IFA’s 1,748 (21 percent of the total) is highest of any single lobbying organization).
The lobbying dwarfs that of environmental groups. This Lobbying.ie search shows that the top 20 lobbying organizations submitted 68 percent of the 8,148 returns: agri-food farmer and business organisations submitted 54 percent of the total returns, while environmental groups submitted just 14 percent.
According to LobbyFacts.eu, the IFA employed the equivalent of four full time lobbyists to lobby in the EU, spending €350,000 on lobbying in 201886“Irish Farmers’ Association,” LobbyFacts. Archived November 9, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YbbVj and €400,000 – €499,999 in 2021.87Irish Farmers’ Association,” LobbyFacts. Archived November 9, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/XBvfH
The IFA’s 2022-2023 annual report states expenditure of €535,000 for the year to March 2023, to maintain its office in Brussels for lobbying in the EU.88“Annual Report and Review of 2023,” Irish Farmers Association, January 22, 2024. Archived February 29, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
The IFA’s political influence has greatly increased since disputes arose between its precursor, the National Farmers Association (NFA), and the Irish government in the late 1960s and early 1970s.89John Gibbons. “From pipsqueaks to bullies: farm leadership, 50 years on,” ThinkOrSwim, May 31, 2017. Archived October 29, 2017. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/lkJLe
According to research published in 2020 by Declan Fahy, an associate professor in at Dublin City University’s School of Communications, Irish farmers and their representative organisations, including the IFA and Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, have “wielded great political influence” on the agricultural policies of successive governments through their lobbying efforts.90Declan Fahy. “Ecological Modernisation, Irish-Style: Explaining Ireland’s Slow Transition to Low-Carbon Society.” September 25, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-47587-1_8 Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
2022-23 EU Industrial Emission Directive Revision
IFA played a key role in a lobby campaign that successfully got cattle farms excluded from the EU Industrial Emissions Directive.
In early 2022, a European Commission proposal for revision of the EU Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) advocated for the inclusion of all farms with over 150 “livestock units” – equivalent to 150 adult cows, 375 calves, 10,000 laying hens, 500 pigs, or 300 sows.91Stephen Cadogan. “150-cow farms to be included in proposed EU Emissions Directive,” Irish Examiner, April 20, 2022. Archived April 21, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/0cVdM
IFA president Tim Cullinan said in a March 2023 press release that the proposals were “driven by ideology, not science, and it’s the ‘thin end of the wedge’ to force a costly licensing regime on farming”, adding that Ireland’s pasture-based system and farms were “already heavily regulated”.92“Industrial Emissions Directive Driven by Ideology, not Science,” Irish Farmers’ Association, March 20, 2023. Archived May 21, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/erehe “COPA, the European farm organisation, of which I am the Vice President, and IFA have been running a strong campaign at EU level to protect family farms since the proposals first appeared last year,” he said.
After an EU trilogue (a final pre-decision meeting of the major EU institutions) at the end of 2023, the EU agreed to exclude cattle farms entirely from the IED, and to define industrial farm thresholds for pigs and poultry.93“Industrial emissions: Council and Parliament agree on new rules to reduce harmful emissions from industry and improve public access to information,” European Council, December, 29, 2023. Archived July 31, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/WpByW
The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) criticised the new IED, saying it “maintains protection for the polluting status quo”.94Maria Simon Arboleas. ““Ciao” cows: Cattle excluded from EU’s industrial emissions cut plan,” Euractiv, November 30, 2023. Archived December 1, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/lTkfO
2010 Climate Bill
The IFA carried out95Wagner, P., Ylä-Anttila, T. “Who got their way? Advocacy coalitions and the Irish climate change law.” Environmental Politics, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09644016.2018.1458406 Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. “intensive lobbying” against the Irish Government’s 2010 Climate Change Response Bill and strongly opposed96John Gibbons. “Denial and self-interested delusion on Climate Bill,” ThinkOrSwim, February 11, 2011. Archived June 30, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/DkhSn it, alongside two other prominent lobby groups – the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, and Ibec, Ireland’s largest business group representing agri-food and other trade groups, which claimed that the law would “damage business”.
A 2010 IFA press release strongly criticised the bill – Ireland’s first-ever parliamentary attempt to enact a climate change bill – as “hastily-introduced climate change legislation [that] will be very damaging to the role that the agri-food and other sectors can play in Ireland’s economic recovery”.97“Rushing Through Climate Change Bill a Non-runner,” Irish Farmers’ Association, December 15, 2010. Archived October 3, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/5UdUS
The IFA also asserted that Ireland had a “sustainable model of farming”, that a “flawed method” was used to calculate both carbon emissions and sinks, and that “it is ludicrous that Ireland could introduce emission reduction targets way in excess of those proposed by other countries”.
By February 2011, the bill had been dropped due to opposition from business organisations and the agri-food sector, as well as the economic and political crises underway at the time.98Tara Connolly. “A Climate Bill Post-Mortem,” ThinkOrSwim, February 11, 2011. Archived August 6, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/42R3L
Media and communications
On its website, the IFA archives its press releases and campaign updates, which are often referenced in Ireland’s leading national and trade media.99“IFA News Archives,” Irish Farmers’ Association. Archived April 23, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cNCVa
Two media-related entities are based in the same building as the IFA’s head office. One is Agri Aware, an industry-funded co-founded by the IFA that produces promotional information targeted at primary schools and the public.100“Contact,” Agri Aware. Archived September 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/IAUAB
The second is Irish Farmers Journal,101“Contact Us,” Irish Farmers’ Journal. Archived September 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/AzWaP a weekly farming newspaper and website that claims to have 400,000 weekly readers. The IFJ is owned and published by the Agricultural Trust.102“Irish Farmers Journal,” Media Ownership Ireland. Archived August 8, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/jsdJ1 The Agricultural Trust board always includes the sitting IFA president as an ex officio member.103“Company Information,” Irish Farmers Journal. Archived February 16, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GHQez
The IFA, was a main organiser of the “Meat and Dairy Facts” initiative, which was was set up in 2019 with the initial assistance of Red Flag Consulting, along with Bord Bia, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA), Dairy Industry Ireland (DII), Meat Industry Ireland (MII), and the National Dairy Council (NDC).104Charles O’Donnell. “New campaign to outline farmer actions to protect environment,” Agriland, July 26, 2021. Archived July 26, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ObM3g
The IFA website identifies the Meat and Dairy Facts initiative as an “IFA campaign”.105“IFA Campaign: Meat and Dairy Facts,” IFA. Archived September 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/saeWs A number of IFA blog posts published between May 2018 and February 2022 also note the affiliation, and largely express support for the dietary and sustainability credentials of meat and dairy.
One of these blog posts objects to the “refusal of the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASAI) to adjudicate on IFA’s complaint about adverts taken out by the Go Vegan movement”, which was lodged “on the basis that the adverts gave misleading information about climate change”.106“Advertising Standards Authority Refuses to Deal with IFA Complaint,” Irish Farmers’ Association, June 6, 2019. Archived November 28, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/dtyDv
The IFA’s dairy committee has been strongly supportive of the National Dairy Council, which is a private, farmer-funded group promoting dairy production and consumption. In a May 2021 blog post, IFA’s dairy committee chair Stephen Arthur said: “There is a growing disconnect between farmers and consumers of dairy. We as farmers need to demonstrate and reassure consumers that Irish dairy is not only nutritious but also environmentally sustainable.”107 “IFA Meet NDC on Their Latest Campaign,” Irish Farmers’ Association, May 25, 2021. Archived March 5, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/4d5kT
He continued: “We need a united voice through the NDC to cut through all the hype and demonstrate that dairy farmers are global leaders when it comes to producing milk efficiently”.
By contrast, key reports produced by Ireland’s environmental NGO sector such as “Not So Green” in 2016,108“Not So Green,” Stop Climate Chaos, 2016. Archived November 11, 2023. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. and “Towards a New Agricultural and Food Policy for Ireland” in 2021, express concerns for the future of farmers and food production in Ireland.109“Towards a New Agricultural and Food Policy for Ireland Recommendations for Government,” Stop Climate Chaos, 2021. Archived September 30, 2023. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
Affiliations
The IFA has a permanent office in Brussels for its European lobbying.110“Contact Brussels,” Irish Farmers’ Association, 2024. Archived August 9, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/1Z3cv It is a member of the industrial agriculture EU lobby group COPA-COGECA.111Tim Cullinan. “Opening Statement by IFA President Tim Cullinan,” Oireachtas, March 8, 2023. Archived April 5, 2023. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
Former IFA president Tim Cullinan was elected as a COPA vice president and spokesperson112“Key points during Agri-Fish Council 18.09.23 – Tim Cullinan (Copa Vice-President).” YouTube video uploaded by user COPA COGECA on September 18, 2023. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog. in 2020113“IFA President Elected First Vice-president of COPA,” Irish Farmers’ Association, September 9, 2020. Archived November 25, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GhGYh and 2022.114Charles O’Donnell. “Tim Cullinan re-elected vice-president of COPA,” Agriland, September 26, 2022. Archived September 26, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ZLLD0
The IFA is also a member of the World Farmers’ Organisation.115“Members,” World Farmers Organisation. Archived March 5, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/AIck3
The IFA is a member of Animal Health Ireland, alongside government and state agencies, farm representative organisations, milk and meat processors, advisory support services, and artificial insemination companies.
- 1“Home,” Irish Farmers’ Association. Archived February 13, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/cRvkr
- 2“Search: Return submit date: From 01 Jan 2015; Public Policy Area: Agriculture, Food, Environment,” Lobbying.ie website, search August 6, 2024. Archived August 6, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/XBCte [Total such lobbying returns 8148 of which IFA’s 1748 is highest].
- 3Gibbons, A.M. “Farmers on the Move : The Strategic Mobilisation of the Farming Lobby in 1960s Ireland”, University College Dublin, 2010. Archived February 29, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 4“Our History,” Irish Farmers’ Association. Archived February 16, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/5gaZP
- 5Tim Cullinan. “Opening Statement by IFA President Tim Cullinan to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food & the Marine on the Crisis in the Sheep Sector 8th March 2023,” Oireachtas, March 8, 2023. Archived March 14, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/w2xzp
- 6“Our Structure & Constitution.” Irish Farmers’ Association. 2024. Archived February 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/55JUg
- 7“Contact us – Farmers Journal,” Irish Farmers Journal. Archived July 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/AzWaP
- 8
- 9“Ireland’s Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2023 [landing page].” EPA. July 2024. Archived July 9, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kf3rB
- 10John Gibbons. “Denial and self-interested delusion on Climate Bill.” ThinkOrSwim (the Climatechange.ie Blog) Archived June 30, 2016. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/DkhSn
- 11Wagner, P. and Ylä-Anttila, T. “Who got their way? Advocacy coalitions and the Irish climate change law.” Environmental Politics 27, 872–891, 2018. Archived August 8, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/5y1Nb
- 12“Beware of ‘balance claims in agri debate,” An Taisce, January 20, 2020. Archived March 22, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/xq5wn
- 13Aisling O’Brien. “Claim 30% emissions target could “devastate” agriculture sector,” Agriland.ie. June 11, 2022. Archived June 11, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/HoASi
- 14“Retaining Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation – Common Objectives – A Joint Declaration from Farm Organisations, Co-operatives and the Dairy and Meat Processors,” Irish Farmers Association, September 16, 2024. Archived September 18, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wJpIQ
- 15“Compliance with the Nitrates Directive and Implications for Ireland: Discussion (Resumed),” Joint Committee on Agriculture, 29 May 2024. Archived June 20, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/RZNCn
- 16
- 17“Agri Aware Patrons,” Agri Aware. Archived September 24, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/zi76h
- 18“2022 Annual Report.” Agri Aware, 2023. Archived February 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/dIfPM
- 19John Gibbons. “How Big Ag is Influencing What Irish Students Learn About Climate Change,” DeSmog, December 12, 2020.
- 20Paul Mooney. “Agri Aware wins EU funding,” Irish Farmers Journal, May 4, 2016. Archived August 15, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/S0pD7
- 21“Agri Aware CEO to join Devenish as Director of Communication,” Devenish, May 12, 2016. Archived August 15, 2025. Archive URL: https://archive.is/p4QVX
- 22
- 23“Welcome to Agri Aware.” Agri Aware. August, 2024. Archived August 2, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ASAhX
- 24Joe Dermody. “Dairy Week to focus on health and nutrition” Irish Examiner, April 15, 2015. Archived February 13, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/OhTZ5
- 25“Our Board.” National Dairy Council, August, 2024. Archived August 7, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GsPAf
- 26“Annual Report and Review of 2023,” Irish Farmers Association, 2024. Archived February 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ti8ea
- 27John Gibbons. “How Big Ag is Influencing What Irish Students Learn About Climate Change,” DeSmog, December 12, 2020.
- 28Colman O’Sullivan. “ASAI upholds complaint about claim in dairy council ad,” RTÉ, December 24, 2023. Archived December 24, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/rnEgz
- 29Rachel Donovan. “Advertising watchdog orders NDC to remove TV advert,” Irish Farmers Journal, July 4, 2024. Archived July 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/UVVzR
- 30Louise Hickey, “Advertising authority orders removal of NDC advert,” Agriland, July 5, 2024. Archived July 12, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/1tmfX
- 31IFA, 2024. “Farmers Are the Unsung Heroes of Climate Action, New IFA President Tells AGM.” Irish Farmers’ Association. January 9, 2024. Archived February 7, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/zCxja
- 32“Ireland’s Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2023 [landing page].” EPA. July 2024. Archived July 9, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kf3rB
- 33“Technology and Efficiency Key to Climate Action in Agriculture.” Irish Farmers’ Association. January 21, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GWM5f
- 34“Common Agricultural Policy and climate: Half of EU climate spending but farm emissions are not decreasing,” European Court of Auditors. June, 2021. Archived June 21, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YihLR
- 35“Govt Must Engage with Farmers to Agree Way Forward on Climate Action & Food Production,” Irish Farmers Association, December 21, 2022. Archived December 5, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Rv1j0
- 36“Environment & Rural Affairs Council Report June 2021,” Irish Farmers’ Association, June 9, 2021. Archived June 30, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.is/frH5r
- 37“Irish Farming – its Green Credentials,” Irish Farmers’ Association, 2021. Archived February 4, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/63GE1
- 38Joe Fassler. “Research Undermines Claims that Soil Carbon Can Offset Livestock Emissions,” DeSmog, February 1, 2024.
- 39Lesschen, J.P et al. “Greenhouse gas emission profiles of European livestock sectors. Animal Feed Science and Technology,” Special Issue: Greenhouse Gases in Animal Agriculture – Finding a Balance between Food and Emissions 166–167, 16–28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2011.04.058
- 40Alan Matthews. “Alan Matthews: Our ‘green’ farming credentials are set to come under greater scrutiny,” Irish Independent, February 13, 2019. Archived September 24, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 41“Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model (GLEAM),” United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Archived September 12, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/NaaVq
- 42Paul Price. “Carbon budgeting literature review: AR6-WGI addendum. An update to the April 2021 carbon budgeting literature review,” Climate Change Advisory Council, August, 2021. Archived February 7, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/g1OA5
- 43Thomas Stocker et al. “Climate Change 2013 The Physical Science Basis,” Working Group I contribution to the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment. Archived December 26, 2018. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/f1UHQ
- 44Paul Price. “Agricultural Methane in Irish Climate Action: greenhouse gas metrics, methane mitigation, and related quantification of livestock numbers,” An Taisce, June, 2024. Archived 18 June, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/gYDaQ
- 45“Retaining Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation – Common Objectives – A Joint Declaration from Farm Organisations, Co-operatives and the Dairy and Meat Processors,” Irish Farmers Association, September 16, 2024. Archived September 18, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/wJpIQ
- 46“Retaining Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation – Common Objectives: A Joint Declaration from Farm Organisations, Co-operatives and the Dairy and Meat Processors,” Irish Farmers Association, Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), Dairy Industry Ireland, Meat Industry Ireland, Macra. Archived September 23, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 47“Ireland’s Provisional Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1990-2023 [landing page],” EPA. July 2024. Archived July 9, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/kf3rB
- 48Rachel Sherrington. “Are Europe’s Farmers Protesting Green Reforms? It’s Complicated,” DeSmog, February 7, 2024.
- 49“Enough is Enough,” Irish Farmers’ Association, February 1, 2024. Archived February 1, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/xEsB4
- 50Joe Mag Raollaigh. “Farmers’ actions showing results both in Ireland and EU,” RTÉ, February 3, 2024. Archived February 7, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Wfjdn
- 51Joe Mag Raollaigh. “EPA deletes “eat less meat” tweet following IFA protest,” RTÉ News, August 28, 2023. Archived August 28, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/fKcdh
- 52Joe Mag Raollaigh. “EPA deletes “eat less meat” tweet following IFA protest,” RTÉ News, August 28, 2023. Archived August 28, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/fKcdh
- 53Pádraig Hoare and Tadhg McNally. “Activists warn of “chilling effect” of EPA’s deletion of tweet on eating less red meat,” Irish Examiner, August 29, 2023. Archived August 30, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/5AxHB
- 54John Gibbons. “Environmental debate turns nasty as politicians ratchet up the ugly rhetoric,” Irish Examiner, February 21, 2023. Archived February 22, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/FxftO
- 55Haughey, E., Styles, D., Saunders, M., Coady, R.B., Moran, J.. “Land Use Review: Fluxes, Scenarios and Capacity: Synthesis Report (EPA Evidence Synthesis Report),” EPA, 2023. Archived March 13, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/66cED
- 56”EPA Commissioned Report is Fundamentally Flawed,” Irish Farmers’ Association, February 16, 2023. Archived March 16, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/Wyk6H
- 57Joe Mag Raollaigh. “A year in agriculture that couldn’t have been predicted,” RTÉ, December 28, 2022. Archived January 5, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/uoWHW
- 58“Report Of Food Vision Dairy Group On Measures To Mitigate Greenhouse Gas Emissions From The Dairy Sector,” Government of Ireland, October 25, 2022. Archived March 15, 2023. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog
- 59“Final Report on the Food Vision Beef & Sheep Group to Mitigate GHG emissions from the Beef Sector“,” Government of Ireland, November 30, 2022. Archived March 15, 2023. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 60“Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (amendment) Act 2021 (as Approved),” Government of Ireland, June, 2021. Archived January 22, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/ScDtZ
- 61“Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (amendment) Act 2021 (as Approved),” Government of Ireland, 2021. Archived January 22, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/ScDtZ
- 62Rachel Martin. “Government sets out plans for 22-30% reduction in farming emissions,” Irish Examiner, February 20, 2021. Archived November 4, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.is/UnQTy
- 63Aisling O’Brien. “Claim 30% emissions target could “devastate” agriculture sector,” Agriland.ie. June 11, 2022. Archived June 11, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/HoASi
- 64Paul Price and Barry McMullin. “Climate crisis and agriculture: Opinions need to rest on facts,” The Irish Times, July 15, 2022. Archived July 15, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.is/0wqML
- 65“Agriculture Sectoral Emissions Ceiling is a Potentially Devastating Blow for Irish Farming,” Irish Farmers’ Association, July 28, 2022. Archived July 28, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/JI61Q
- 66Vivienne Clarke. “IFA denies farmers ‘getting off lightly’ in emissions deal,” BreakingNews.ie. Archived July 29, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/loZlv
- 67Marie Donnelly. “CCAC Chair’s statement on sectoral emission targets,” Climate Change Advisory Council, July 20, 2022. Archived July 29, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/72tho
- 68“An Taisce Green Schools Pack Should Be Withdrawn Immediately,” Irish Farmers’ Association, April 4, 2019. Archived November 23, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.is/0x9gK
- 69Sylvester Phelan. “An Taisce programme slammed for “anti-livestock ethos,” Agriland.ie, April 4, 2019. Archived July 16, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.is/4gHnt
- 70Robert Emmet Hernan. “Is abstaining from eating meat on Mondays a mortal sin?,” Irish Environment, May 1, 2019. Archived September 30, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.is/WcmTb
- 71“Annual Review 2019,” Climate Change Advisory Council, July, 2019. Archived February 22, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 72Aidan Fortune. “Irish farmers slam herd reduction idea,” Foodnavigator, July 26, 2019. Archived February 8, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/sLUNl
- 73“Agriculture_2022_WEM.” Inventory Excel workbook. EPA, 2024. Archived by DeSmog.
- 74“Third Report and Recommendations: Climate Change,” Citizens’ Assembly, 2018. Archived June 9, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/cwDnG
- 75“Carbon Tax a ‘No-Go’, but Some Useful Proposals in Citizens’ Assembly Report,” Irish Farmers’ Association, 2018. Archived November 29, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/7fRkj
- 76Helen Harwatt el at. “Options For A Paris-Compliant Livestock Sector,” Harvard Law School, March 2024. Archived August 25, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.is/OIzX3
- 77“Selective Misrepresentation of Research by Environmental Ngos Undermines Their Credibility,” Irish Farmers’ Association. April 1, 2017. Archived March 24, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/GHDcn
- 78“Common Agricultural Policy and climate: Half of EU climate spending but farm emissions are not decreasing,” European Court of Auditors. June, 2021. Archived June 21, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YihLR
- 79Eoin Burke-Kennedy, 2017. “Ireland among three EU states to record increase in agricultural emissions,” The Irish Times, June 23, 2021. Archived June 23, 2021. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/CjrFR
- 80Patsy McGarry. “Farmers criticise Mary Robinson’s calls to ‘not eat meat’,” The Irish Times, September 30, 2016. Archived March 26, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/4Amt3
- 81“Farmers Are Facing Up to the Climate Challenge,” Irish Farmers’ Association, July 21, 2016. Archived November 29, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/JA5UO
- 82Gary Lanigan, Kevin Hanrahan, Richards, K.G.. “An Updated Analysis of the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Potential of the Irish Agriculture and Land-Use Sectors between 2021 and 2030,” Teagasc, July, 2023. Archived October 9, 2023. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/X2JmZ
- 83“Annual Report And Consolidated Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2023,” Irish Farmers’ Association, 2023. Archived August 6, 2024. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.
- 84“The Irish Farmers’ Association – IFA,” Lobbying.ie. Archived August 6, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/rm96n
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