![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/2.48679193.jpg\")
Leo Vardakar has called for an end to the \u201cclimate shaming\u201d of farmers and said that they need to be paid more for their produce.<\/p>\nLeo Vardakar has called for an end to the \u201cclimate shaming\u201d of farmers and said that they need to be paid more for their produce.<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach was speaking at the annual general meeting of farming organisation the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association in Co Limerick on Friday.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar said the fact that beef prices in the Republic of Ireland are lower than the EU and the UK needs to be addressed.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is only reasonable that the factory gate prices go up in the weeks ahead,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Addressing environmental issues, Mr Varadkar said he wants farmers to be part of the solution regarding climate action, \u201crather than being targeted as part of the problem\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can do this by incentivizing, encouraging and remunerating farmers and industry to reduce emissions, produce green energy and promote biodiversity.<\/p>\n
\u201cI very much believe, and I very much want farmers to be part of the solution when it comes to climate change and climate action, rather than being targeted as part of the problem as you so often are,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s my belief that the climate shaming of farmers should stop. It should stop now. But it\u2019s through visible, effective climate action by farmers, supported by governments, that we can make sure that it stops,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He said the challenges Ireland faces regarding climate change should be seen as an opportunity rather than a catastrophe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we\u2019ll all acknowledge that climate change is an enormous issue and one that is a real concern to our citizens.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I want to do is turn what is a potential catastrophe into an opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should acknowledge that climate action isn\u2019t just about reducing greenhouse gases. It\u2019s about doing some really good things too.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about making our air cleaner and our homes warmer. It\u2019s about less pollution. It\u2019s also about creating new jobs, new wealth and new businesses for the future.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust think about what we could achieve with all the money we would save, if we didn\u2019t spend billions of euros every year importing oil and gas and we used our own energy instead.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar one of his top priorities is reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the years ahead in a way that benefits Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very busy forming alliances with like-minded countries across the European Union, not just traditional allies when it comes to agriculture, like France, but also those around the Mediterranean, central and eastern Europe as well, and Belgium.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur mission is to ensure that sector can continue to produce high quality safe and traceable food while protecting and enhancing the environments and upholding animal welfare.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy message today is that the Government will continue to prioritize CAP budgets in those negotiations. They really just started and they\u2019re going to get going around February,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n