As American conservatives, we value limited government, individual liberties, and responsible stewardship of our resources.
Through this lens, we turn our attention across the pond, where Ireland’s government officials are mulling a ridiculous and dangerous plan to slaughter 200,000 cows in a misguided bid to combat climate change.
This proposition not only sounds inhumane but also lays a heavy financial burden on the shoulders of hardworking Irish taxpayers.
According to the Irish Mirror, this action would allegedly cost taxpayers €600,000 over the next three years to meet climate emissions targets.
This information came to light through a freedom of information request, unearthing an internal document of the Department of Agriculture.
Reacting to this, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association voiced its staunch opposition to the purported plan.
The Association’s president, Pat McCormack, was clear in his rejection, “If there is to be a scheme, it needs to be a voluntary scheme. That’s absolutely critical because there’s no point in culling numbers from an individual who has borrowed on the back of a huge financial commitment on the back of achieving a certain target that’s taken from under him.”
McCormack underscores a fundamental conservative value – the freedom of choice.
Rather than being forced into a costly and potentially harmful plan, farmers should have the option to adopt or refuse such changes.
He also asserts the need to invest in scientific research and low emissions, recognizing that we should strive for sustainable solutions that don’t threaten livelihoods or food security.
McCormack further states that Ireland’s dairy herd today is roughly the same size as it was three decades ago.
However, the Irish Mirror reported a significant growth in dairy cows over the past decade, with a 1.4 percent increase to 1.6 million in 2022 alone.
In response to the uproar caused by the reports, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine clarified their position. A spokesperson stated, “The paper referred to was part of a deliberative process – it is one of a number of modeling documents considered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and is not a final policy decision. As part of the normal work of Government Departments, various options for policy implementation are regularly considered.”
This controversial proposal arrives at a time when Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency blames agriculture for 38% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2021, nearly twice as much as transportation.
While environmental concerns are indeed significant, does the solution lie in hastily slaughtering livestock, or should we rather be seeking innovative, sustainable strategies that protect both our planet and our industries?
Interestingly, the Food Vision Dairy Group published a report last October stating an “urgent need to address the negative environmental impacts associated with dairy expansion.”
Following this, Charlie McConalogue, Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, openly suggested that farmers reduce the number of dairy cows.
Brett Moline, spokesperson for the Wyoming Farm Bureau, expressed his concerns on such propositions, warning of food security issues. “It’s going to make food expensive, and we still have a large part of the population that is food-insecure.”
He further warned about the risk of shifting food production to countries with lax environmental regulations if nations like the U.S. and U.K. pull back.
The unfolding events in Ireland serve as a stark reminder for us as conservative Americans – while climate change demands our attention and action, we must tread the path of sustainability with careful consideration for the wellbeing of our people, our industries, and our values.
The cost of reckless decisions may be more than we are willing to pay.
