Irish farmer revolt warning over Gov climate change policy amid ‘major potential threat’ to agriculture sector claims

It found Ireland’s delays on implementing its net-zero plans was causing tension with EU partners and the risk of large penalties
THE Government was warned it could face a revolt from farmers over policy on climate change.

A review commissioned by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment said “grassroots resistance” in other countries had overturned green initiatives.

It said there was a “growing distrust” of State climate policy in the Irish agriculture sector and rural communities.

Politicians in farming constituencies were already facing regular challenges from voters.

The paper said: “Resistance needs to be taken seriously as a major potential threat to climate policy.”

It said farmers needed to be regarded as “custodians of the land”.

And the unpublished review told of issues around national policy, stating there was little trust in Government communication.

It said the Government’s messaging was “often generic and dry” with a “silo mentality” among public bodies.

It found Ireland’s delays on implementing its net-zero plans was causing tension with EU partners and the risk of large penalties.

The report, written by international climate communications expert George Marshall, said Ireland actually had a strong foundation with a “generally high level of public concern” about changing climate.

It said stated ambitions in the Climate Action Plan required a “far higher rate of progress and activity.”

The review found the Government lacked a “coherent strategy” for public engagement.

It said apathy was a particular problem, with one in five Irish people believing nothing they did could make a difference.

The report added: “It is essential to build trust and support through the mobilisation of new voices and communicators, especially for addressing concerns and building constructive dialogue with farmers and rural communities.”

Government messaging over carbon taxes was also criticised, with the author saying global research showed support depended on knowing how the cash was spent.

A Department spokesman said: “‘Climate Change in the Irish Mind’ is an ongoing research project related to attitudes and behaviours around climate change, conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency.

“The research does not find evidence of an urban/rural divide in climate change attitudes.”