John Paul Phelan TD joined Maria this morning to discuss the claim that he and six others made in relation to farmers being scapegoated.

The group made the claim in relation to climate change, saying that farmers are being given unrealistic targets and are being lectured by people who have no background in farming.

John Paul says they are not climate deniers at all, but that the reductions being asked for are not attainable.

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan set an exact target for reducing agriculture emissions by the end of the decade by 30%.

If emissions are to be cut by over 24%, animal numbers will have to be cut drastically, according to John Paul. He says a reduction of 23-24% would be possible without putting family's livelihoods at risk.

He also said that both sides of the argument are aware that the reduction targets will not be achieved.

John Paul recognises that farming contributes to climate change but that it is not solely caused by farmers, yet they are being portrayed as the bad guys.

The biggest environmental polluter is our own energy consumption. How we travel from A to B, and how we heat our home. As a child, John Paul's mother taught him that sustainability is important. He shared stories of finding decade-old containers she used and having to turn off the lights every night.

The population of the world is growing and growing and therefore the demand for food is too. Who will feed all of these people?

Click the link in this podcast to listen to the full conversation.

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