Sir, one can remark that the vast quantities of affordable, high-grade edibles available in the global West make it easier to critique their production methods, as evident in the assertion that the agricultural ethos in Ireland is currently unsustainable (Letters, 2nd September).
Despite this, any proposed ideologies or policies set to ensure continuous food production, profitable careers for farmers, and land use strategies that will also provide a sustainable, recurring profit for landholders are not explicitly outlined.
In Irish dairy farming, the typical herd consists of 80 cows across 85 acres. The common suckler farm size pertains to 14 cows. Fewer than 280 commercial pig farms function in Ireland, with a decrement in the number of horticultural and tillage farms.
The large majority of Irish farms are family-run, operating under the conviction of making enough profit to support and provide education for their families. However, factors such as consistently rising operational costs, static profit levels, worker shortages, climatic changes, and production reductions due to environmental constraints discourage new generation from entering the farming sector.
The mean age of Irish farmers is currently 57 years. Coupled with a lack of new farming enthusiasts, it is clear that the ethos of Irish agriculture is being moulded by elements beyond its control.
Interestingly, 25% of livestock supplies to factories now originate from feedlots owned and managed by factory proprietors or their representatives, mirroring the US approach where large businesses own thousands of acres devoted to intensive tillage and large-scale beef fattening lots where cattle are raised on hormones. In the US, an average farm expands over 1,200 acres, housing livestock that are struggling to survive amidst drought. The ethos behind the rapidly expanding, state-run dairy farms in China involves supporting 20,000 cows.
In Ireland, the agri-food industry employs 168,000 individuals across 700 food and beverage companies, represents a vast export market reaching 160 nations, and acquires 74 per cent of prime materials and services from local Irish suppliers. This figure contrasts with the 43 per cent of supplies other manufacturing companies source domestically. The sector is critically important to the wellbeing of the rural economy, sustaining local businesses, schools, and sports associations.
The strategies to maintain the prosperity of rural Ireland are not yet clearly outlined by critics of the present operational style. Suggestions such as organic food farming, creating solar farms and developing niche alternatives might not offer long-term solutions for providing inexpensive food, especially considering the increasing instances of droughts, fires and other climatic challenges that are profoundly impacting global food production. Instances of famine are already commonplace in several underprivileged parts of the world.
The piecemeal policies that support the transition of fertile farmland for use in solar energy production for data centres lack a clear, comprehensive doctrine that meets the needs of farmers, food production, and the environment.
-Yours,
TOMÁS FINN
Cappataggle,
Ballinasloe,
County Galway.