Ireland Plans To Slaughter 200,000 Cows To Save Planet From ‘Global Warming’ Drawing Ire From Irish Farmers
Globalists around the world have been telling us to eat bugs. We even had one of our Congressmen, AOC, wanting to eliminate cows.
In February 2019, she tried to say she wasn’t the author of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document issued along with her Green New Deal outline. It was hers. O-Cortez and her Chief of Staff accused the Republicans of spreading it around. AOC finally confessed when people pointed to the ample evidence available proving her Chief of Staff posted it to her website.
I don’t think everyone got the memo that eliminating cows was a ridiculous idea.
In a bid to combat climate change, the Irish government has proposed a controversial plan to cull tens of thousands of cattle annually, drawing strong opposition from farmers and sparking a nationwide debate. The proposal, part of a larger strategy to reduce farming emissions by 25% by 2030, suggests a 10% reduction in the national dairy herd, resulting in the culling of 65,000 cows each year for three years. However, this approach has raised serious concerns about the detrimental effects it could have on the farming industry and the feasibility of achieving climate change goals.
The Potential Impact on Farmers and Agriculture
The proposed culling of cattle has triggered a wave of resistance among farmers and agricultural organizations. Critics argue that such a drastic reduction in the national dairy herd would have severe consequences for farmers’ livelihoods and the wider industry.
1.1 Economic Ramifications The farming sector plays a crucial role in the Irish economy, and any significant changes to the industry could have far-reaching consequences. Farmers fear that a forced cull would result in financial losses and undermine the stability of their operations. The cost of implementing the proposal, estimated at €200 million (£170 million) annually, would burden taxpayers while potentially destabilizing the agricultural sector.
1.2 Threat to Livelihoods Farmers voice concerns that the proposed cull could force many of them out of business. The potential loss of income and reduction in herd sizes could render farms unviable, leading to a decline in rural communities and the abandonment of generational farming practices. The repercussions of such a mass exodus from the sector would be detrimental to the social fabric of rural Ireland.
1.3 Impact on Food Security Ireland’s agricultural sector is integral to the nation’s food security. A substantial reduction in the national dairy herd would not only affect dairy production but also have a ripple effect on related industries such as beef and cheese. The proposal fails to consider the potential consequences of diminished self-sufficiency in food production and the subsequent reliance on imports.
1.4 Shifting Emissions and Global Responsibility Critics argue that a cull in Ireland would merely shift beef and dairy production to other countries, leading to a phenomenon known as “carbon leakage.” This displacement of emissions undermines the intended environmental benefits of reducing Ireland’s farming emissions. Additionally, countries with less stringent environmental regulations may increase their production to meet global demand, potentially resulting in a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
Farmers Weekly reported:
The Irish government is considering an initiative to significantly reduce the number of dairy cows in order to reach its climate change targets.
A target of reducing emissions from farming in Ireland by a quarter by 2030 has been set by government.
One proposal to achieve this is by reducing the national dairy herd by 10%, the equivalent of removing 65,000 cows a year for three years, according to the Irish Independent.
Minister for agriculture Charlie McConalogue told Irish radio station RTE Morning Ireland that a dairy vision group with farmer representatives has been looking into a range of options to reduce emissions on farm.
Flaws in the Proposed Approach
While the government asserts that the cull would be voluntary, concerns persist regarding the effectiveness and fairness of the proposal. Farmers argue that there are alternative, more practical measures to reduce emissions without resorting to such drastic actions.
2.1 Voluntary Measures: A Questionable Solution Farmers express doubts about achieving emissions targets through voluntary measures alone. Despite the government’s reassurances, the voluntary retirement exit scheme may not yield the desired reductions in emissions, as it relies on individual farmers’ decisions. Many farmers are skeptical that the necessary participation levels can be achieved without more forceful measures being imposed.
2.2 Disproportionate Burden on Farmers The proposed culling of cows places an undue burden on farmers, considering that other industries contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, such as transportation and aviation, face fewer restrictions. The lack of a comprehensive and balanced approach to emissions reduction raises concerns about fairness and the singling out of farmers as the sole contributors to climate change.
2.3 Insufficient Consideration of Technological Advances Critics argue that the proposal overlooks the potential of technological advancements in the farming sector to address emissions. Rather than resorting to mass culling, investments in research and development could lead to innovative solutions for reducing emissions while maintaining agricultural productivity.
2.4 The Role of Sustainable Farming Practices Promoting and incentivizing sustainable farming practices can be a more effective approach to reducing emissions in the long run. Implementing measures such as improved herd management, precision agriculture, and increased use of renewable energy sources can significantly contribute to emissions reductions without sacrificing the livelihoods of farmers or compromising food production.
2.5 Collaborative Solutions and International Cooperation Addressing climate change requires a global effort, and singling out the Irish farming industry with a drastic cull may not be the most productive approach. Instead, fostering international collaboration and knowledge sharing can lead to more effective strategies for reducing agricultural emissions while ensuring food security. Sharing best practices and investing in international research initiatives can pave the way for sustainable agricultural systems worldwide.
Pat McCormack, president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, said it was “frustrating” that the industry was being targeted.
“We’re the one industry with a significant roadmap, and, to be quite honest with you, our herd isn’t any larger than it was 25 to 30 years ago,” he said. “Can the same be said for the transport industry, can the same be said for the aviation industry?”
If there is to be a cull, he said, “it needs to be a voluntary scheme. That’s absolutely critical”.
Lessons from International Examples
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the potential consequences of the proposed cull, it is essential to examine similar actions taken in other countries and their outcomes.
3.1 The Dutch Farms Closure: The closure of 3,000 productive farms in the Netherlands, driven by global warming goals, serves as a cautionary tale. The Dutch experience highlights the negative implications of abrupt and sweeping measures, including job losses, decreased agricultural production, and increased reliance on imports.
3.2 Fertilizer Reduction in Germany Following the closure of Dutch farms, Germany implemented fertilizer reduction measures. However, this action resulted in unintended consequences, including reduced crop yields and increased pressure on farmers to compensate for the loss of fertilizer through other means, potentially leading to unsustainable farming practices.
3.3 Considering Context and Adaptability These examples emphasize the need for context-specific approaches that consider the unique circumstances of each country and region. Implementing one-size-fits-all measures without considering the nuances of agricultural systems and the socioeconomic realities can have adverse effects on both the farming industry and environmental goals.
The work is 24/7, Donald Scully says. “You have to love it otherwise you wouldn’t do it.” He hopes his teenage son will become the fourth generation Scully to raise cows but says climate targets could imperil the farm’s future.
“It’s all happening so quickly, and they’re looking for results so fast. Sometimes you would be better moving slow and doing it right.” A way of life, he says, is at stake. “You don’t miss anything until it’s gone.”
The proposed culling of Irish cattle as part of efforts to meet climate change targets has stirred significant debate and concerns within the farming community. Farmers argue that such a drastic measure would have detrimental effects on their livelihoods, the farming industry, and national food security. The voluntary nature of the proposed retirement exit scheme raises doubts about its effectiveness in achieving emissions reductions. Furthermore, critics highlight the need for a comprehensive and balanced approach that considers technological advancements, sustainable farming practices, and international cooperation.
Tim Cullinan, president of the Irish Farmers’ Association, warned that beef and dairy production would simply shift to other countries if a limit was introduced in Ireland, undermining the attempted emissions savings.
“Reports like this only serve to further fuel the view that the government is working behind the scenes to undermine our dairy and livestock sectors,” he said. “While there may well be some farmers who wish to exit the sector, we should all be focusing on providing a pathway for the next generation to get into farming”.
Lessons from international examples demonstrate the potential negative consequences of hasty actions targeting the agricultural sector. Rather than resorting to mass culling, policymakers should explore collaborative solutions, promote sustainable farming practices, and invest in research and development to address emissions reduction effectively. By working together and considering the unique circumstances of the farming industry, Ireland can achieve its climate change goals without compromising its vital agricultural sector.
Farmers hope that proposed changes in calculating methane emissions, greater efficiencies, new technologies, and other measures could avert the need to reduce herds.
