EPA Report Show Positive Change and Challenges

IFA Environment chair John Murphy said the EPA State of the Environment report recognises the transformative work and positive changes that are already taking place on farms as well as the challenges facing the sector to scale up adoption to meet climate, water and biodiversity targets. 

“It is encouraging that the report acknowledges that farming when well managed and matched to the capacity of the land can contribute to maintaining and enhancing environmental outcomes. This is a view very much shared by farmers across the country and is sometimes lost in reporting as it relates to the environment,” said Mr. Murphy. 

He said it is clear that the sector is transforming, that the importance of achieving environmental sustainability in tandem with economic growth is very much front and centre on farmers minds and is a key driver of the Food Vision 2030 strategy for the sector.

“Farmers have a massive role to play, we are the boots on the ground.  But we need to bring all farmers with us on this journey, we need to support them and incentivise them to change,” he said.

He said the scale of change and the cost of change that is required to deliver on environmental targets cannot be achieved through CAP funding.

“The Climate and Nature Fund, which was established to provide additional investment for climate, nature and water, is a positive development, but more funding needs to be allocated, if targets are to be met.”