People Before Profit call on government to scrap Agri-Food 2030 plan and develop a framework for sustainable agriculture in line with planetary boundaries and the needs of small farmers and rural communities
Meaningful public participation and buy-in crucial to strategy
People Before Profit TD and member of the Oireachtas Climate Action Committee, Bríd Smith, has called on An Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture to scrap the Agri-Food 2030 strategy and develop an new plan for agriculture which keeps Ireland within planetary boundaries. The TD said that any new plan must have meaningful community engagement at its heart if it is to achieve the necessary buy-in.
The TD made the call following the announcement of the withdrawal of the Environmental Pillar from the Agri-Food 2030 Strategy Committee this morning.
Bríd Smith TD said: “The withdrawal of the Environmental Pillar from this strategy is evidence that the government do not understand the need to coordinate agricultural production with environmental and climate limits along with the needs of small farmers and rural communities. It is also clear from the Pillar’s statement this morning that meaningful community engagement is not being achieved in this process.
“It is essential that we get a good strategy out of this process and a good deal for small farmers, rural communities and the environment. Crucially, we need a Just Transition for small farmers and rural communities.
“For this reason, I am calling on the government to start over with this strategy, bring all the groups around the table, and listen to them in a meaningful fashion.”