There has been strong reaction to the Climate Change Response Bill, which is being debated today in the Seanad.
Three organisations representing the farm and food industry have said they are very concerned about the threat posed to their sector by the bill.
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA), Meat Industry Ireland (MII) and the Co-Op Group ICOS say the targets in the bill would have a hugely detrimental effect on the country's largest indigenous industry.
They estimate that the target of cutting greenhouse gases by 28% in the next decade would decimate the national beef and dairy herd.
Herd numbers would have to be reduced to meet the targets because of the methane that these animals produce.
IFA President John Bryan said the legislation would create an obstacle to the significant potential that has been identified for growth of €4bn in agri-food exports.
The President of ICOS, Pat McLoughlin said the failure of the legislation to recognise the many positives in Irish agriculture was a major flaw.
Ciaran Fitzgerald, the chairman of MII, said that the competitive edge that exists for beef production in this country will be damaged if the carbon restrictions are placed on the sector.
Meanwhile, environmental group Stop Climate Chaos has criticised the bill as inadequate to halt climate change.
Gavin Harte of Stop Climate Chaos said: 'The publication of an Irish Climate Change Bill is an important milestone in delivering Ireland's responsibility to deal with climate change but the Bill has been diluted by opposition within government and by special interests.
'While we welcome the Climate Bill, the legislation as presented fails to address runaway climate change and is recommending emissions cuts far below those identified by science as being necessary.'
