Carlow Kilkenny candidate Malcolm Noonan has reassured farmers that they have the Green Party’s backing, saying: “We can't restore our nature without our farmers.”
Speaking to farmers at last night’s Irish Farmers Association Hustings in Leighlinbridge, Co Carlow, Mr Noonan said: "I support family farmers and the environment. It’s not a case of one or the other – we need both. I see Ireland’s unique family farming system as our solution to environment and climate issues, not the problem."
Noonan said that, over the past four and a half years in Government, he had spoken to many farmers around the country and within his constituency. He said it was clear from these conversations that “farmers love the land and they want to farm it and to produce really good food. They want to make a living for their families.
“Both they and I want to see land farmed, our nature restored, our farmland birds back and our rivers running clean. We don’t want to see large industrial landscapes... but well-supported small farms. What we are talking about with nature restoration is a participative, collaborative and co-designed process.”
Mr Noonan supports the retention of the Nitrates Derogation and pointed to the Government's recently launched Water Action Plan as holding the answers on how the Government and National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) plan to work with farmers on schemes to improve water quality. As Minister for Nature, he developed the €3.15 billion Climate and Nature fund, €200 million of which he wants to put “directly into farmers’ pockets”, through nature restoration projects, building on the €60m Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP).
He added that the Greens want to support community organisations to work on water quality measures and to allow farmers to take ownership of their role in improving water quality.
Mr Noonan acknowledged that farm succession is also a big fear for farmers but believes that innovative environmental projects will revitalise the landscape for a new generation. The Greens have proposed a Commission on Generational Renewal to back young farmers and support them in dealing with urgent issues around succession.
He added: “I’ve delivered two new national parks, I've delivered a Nature Restoration Law, and one of the best National Biodiversity Action Plans in the world, one that the President of the IFA has said farmers need not be afraid of.
“Coupled with the right investment - in technology, in broadband, in solar and retrofit grants, as well as enhanced transport links - we’ll build the kinds of practical, collaborative measures that make a difference and will create a viable pathway for the rural economy of Carlow-Kilkenny to thrive. I will continue to work with farmers, and with the IFA, to ensure we continue to produce the best food in the world - and restore nature.”
See more: My promise to rural voters
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