Farmer fears for next generation in the industry amid tough climate targets

GILLYGOOLEY beef and sheep farmer, Ray Elkin, believes that the target of net zero emissions by 2050 puts large parts of the North’s agricultural industry in grave peril.

A member of the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), Ray was part of the crowd which demonstrated on Stormont Hill on Tuesday.

The placards had slogans like ‘Protect our rural communities’,‘Our families matter too’, and ‘They want us gone’, voice the dark reality which they believe lays ahead for their families, industry and the North’s wider economy.

The UlsterHerald spoke with Ray on Wednesday, not long after the Assembly had voted in favour by 50 to 38 of Clare Bailey’s amendment which increased the North’s emission reduction target from 82 per-cent to 100 per-cent by 2050.

Ray said, “I think farmers are only waking up to the realisation of what this amendment means for us.

“It seems like the politicians who voted for the amendment didn’t take account of the scientific advice which informed the initial figure of an 82 per-cent reduction. Unless there are further amendments which help repair the damage these targets will cause, by the year 2050 there will be half the number of cattle here that there are now,” said Ray grimly.

But Ray said it isn’t only those who own the cattle who are going to suffer from the fallout of these targets. He warned there will be far-reaching consequences, including ‘massive’ unemployment.

“Farmers are like a tree trunk of industry,” said Ray, “and various other industries are the branches, dependent on the strength and health of the trunk.

“You have to think of all the jobs of the processors, suppliers and those who work in the marts. I’m afraid this is going to cause massive unemployment,” said Ray. Then Ray turned his attention to the politicians in the Assembly.

“They are saying they will ‘support’ us, but I haven’t heard much about how they are going to do it.

“There has been plenty of bluster and hot air, but not much fact,” said Ray. “I wonder what they are going to say at our doors in a few elections’ time when we are feeling the impact of their decision.”

Ray also queried the scientific rationale behind the ‘net-zero’ decision.

“We are capable of producing beef and dairy products in a much more environmentally-friendly way than most other countries because of our landscape and climate.

“In a few years’ time, when we have exported our beef and dairy industry, and are dependent on supply from other countries, our carbon footprint could be much higher.”

But Ray was keen to impress the point that the agri-food industry is willing to make concessions in order to mitigate the climate crisis.

“We are willing to do our bit and I think the initial 82 per-cent reduction was reasonable and informed by the science. This net-zero target has just gone too far.”

Ray added, “I don’t know how the next generation will make a life in this industry.”