Farmers are taking climate target seriously, where other sectors have a more general approach, the Taoiseach told an agrifood conference in Dublin Castle this morning.
Mícheál Martin told the the Food Vision 2030 event that he has found very strong engagement with the issue when he meets farmers and the farming community across the country.
He said a more generalised approach is being taken toward targets in other sectors, while there is proactive engagement by farmers.
Referring to the emissions reduction target for agriculture of 25% by 2030, the Taoiseach said targets are very challenging.
He said Ireland is at a crossroads for agriculture, which is the country's oldest and largest indigenous sector and the task is to ensure its ongoing centrality in national life and long term success.
Mr Martin told delegates that the real impacts of climate change are manifesting themselves across the planet and the nature of this challenge is unlike any other people have faced.
Addressing the challenge cannot be postponed and cannot be delayed and reducing emissions and adapting to climate change is now unavoidable, the Taoiseach said.
He said the agenda now is to avoid the worst impact of climate change.
The resilience shown by farmers and fishers over the past few years shows the agrifood sector, which employs 170,000 people, is agile and responsive and open to embracing changes when it is required, Mr Martin added.
The Director General of the EPA has said their role is to see whether the aspiration meets meets reality and right now greenhouses gases are going up, water quality is going down, we are non-compliant for ammonia and there are also issues with compliance in some areas.
Speaking to RTÉ News, Laura Burke said the environmental challenges are being recognised but its time to move from debate and discussion to implementation and action.
She also said the Food Vision 2030 strategy is very ambitious and looking to transform the food system in Ireland .
The Food Vision event is being held without Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, who is in Donegal following the Creeslough explosion last week.
