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Agriland
3 days ago
- Business
- Agriland
Report: New finance models needed to ‘de-risk' climate adaptation costs on farms
The processor-farmer relationship offers 'significant potential to drive climate transformation in the Irish agri-food sector, according to a new research report published today (Friday, May 30) by the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA). In the report 'Farm to Finance: The Processor–Farmer Nexus in Ireland's Agricultural Climate Transition', the IIEA said that the sector faces 'unique challenges' in balancing its climate targets against future competitiveness. But the author of the report, Matthew G. O' Neill, put forward that new 'hybrid financing models' are needed to de-risk investment by farmers because of the high costs associated with climate adaptation and mitigation measures. He also highlighted that agriculture accounts for 37.8% of Ireland's national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which puts pressure on both processors and farmers in the sector to decarbonise. The report stated that the credibility of climate action within Irish agri-food systems 'rests on a good monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) system'. In a list of recommendations contained in the report, one outlined that platforms such as Teagasc's AgNav be further developed as independent, farmer-trusted systems, with transparent data governance, consent-based data sharing, and tangible feedback mechanisms to participating farmers. The IIEA also advised that blended finance models, sovereign-backed transition bonds, and tailored green loan products could be aligned with 'sector specific realities' to facilitate access for smaller farms. The third recommendation the report made was to promote the fairer distribution of transition costs across the food chain. It claims that sustainably linked price signals should be strengthened through voluntary and regulatory mechanisms. According to the report, expanding sustainability incentive structures, integrating technologies with safeguards, and sustaining legitimacy and commitment. IIEA report The IIEA hosted a panel discussion about the report in Dublin today (Mayo 30). Participants on the panel included the Irish Farmers' Association's (IFA) chief economist, Tadhg Buckley, Irish Business and Employers' Confederation's (IBEC) Dale Crammond, farmer and Talamh Beo representative, Ailbhe Gerrard and Agriland, deputy news editor, Francess McDonnell. IFA economist Buckley believes that the relationship between farmers and processors is 'incredibly integrated'. He said: 'Something we often don't realise is that the vast majority of farmers in Ireland don't actually interact with consumers. 'Their interaction with the marketplace is through their processor. So the processor plays a huge role in the overall framework.' 'In terms of incentivising farmers to the sustainability challenge, that relationship is absolutely integral, it's the most important relation of all actually, it's the processor farmer relationship,' Buckley added. IBEC's director of meat industry claimed that processors have to do 'everything they can' to try and advance the sustainability agenda. He believes the consumer has a significant influence on the relationship between the processor and the farmer. Crammond said: 'The price (consumers) are prepared to pay for sustainably produced products, my concern would be that there is a limit to that. 'We've seen a very significant increase in the price of beef, but that has created a challenge for the processing sector, in terms of being able to get those returns back in the marketplace,' the IBEC director explained. Source IIEA During the discussion on the report Ailbhe Grogan, representing Talamh Beo, also commented on key theme identified in the report highlighted the role that the retailer plays in the food processing chain. She said: 'With the centralisation of meat processing in larger and larger factories, I would love to see an EU supported and national government supported mobile abattoir for animal welfare that go to the farms. 'I think that there is absolutely a place for decentralising and denationalise things, quite a lot of it.' 'It takes time, it takes effort, it takes input and I would love to see the retailers and the meat processing industry talking with farmers, because farmers would like to have more options for animal kills and and more local processing,' Grogan added.
Irish Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Ireland must stay vigilant amid ‘rising authoritarianism and spread of disinformation', says Commissioner
Ireland should never take its democracy for granted, particularly as Europe faces significant challenges such as the rise of authoritarianism and spread of disinformation, European Commissioner Michael McGrath has said. Speaking at an event in Dublin on Monday, Mr McGrath said Europe 'knows all too well the cost of adopting alternative, authoritarian systems of government'. 'We must never take democracy and democratic processes for granted,' he said. 'That is the rock we would perish on. 'With the world becoming more unstable – facing issues like rising authoritarianism, foreign interference and the rapid spread of disinformation – we need to remain watchful and ready for what's to come in the months and years ahead.' READ MORE Mr McGrath was speaking at an event organised by the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), a think tank based in Dublin. He said 'many significant challenges threaten the fabric of our democracies in Europe'. The commissioner, whose brief covers democracy, justice and consumer protection, said: 'Let us not forget that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was preceded by an information war and a hybrid war, including massive campaigns of interference and disinformation.' Mr McGrath is also responsible for ensuring enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). [ Growing call from EU states to review EU trade deal with Israel Opens in new window ] [ Trump leaves Russia and Ukraine to ceasefire talks Opens in new window ] Meta, which operates Facebook and Instagram, wants the High Court to overturn a €91 million penalty imposed on it by Ireland's Data Protection Commission for improperly storing user passwords. The tech giant said the punishment is 'disproportionate' and that such fines could stifle innovation. When asked about this, Mr McGrath said 'a balance' needs to be found. He noted that while personal data must be protected, there is also a need to 'simplify the burden of compliance with the GDPR rules'. He said he will bring forward 'measures to ease the burden of compliance with GDPR, while at the same time protecting that fundamental right of the protection of personal data'.
The Journal
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Role of influencers to be considered under EU's 'democracy shield' plans
THE ROLE OF influencers will be considered under the EU's plan to develop a 'democracy shield' which aims to tackle the spread of online misinformation and protect European democracy, according to Michael McGrath, European Commissioner for Justice. Speaking at an event at the IIEA in Dublin today on 'Future-Proofing EU Democracy', McGrath was questioned on the role of influencers online and in particular the information they are disseminating to younger people. 'On the role of influencers, yes, we are going to consider it in the context of 'the Shield' and also from a consumer point of view under the proposed Digital Fairness Act. 'I think the key issue there is transparency. If somebody is part of a commercial transaction, is being paid to promote a product or a service. I think consumers and the general public have a right to know that. There is legislation here in Ireland, but not every member state has such legislation. But it is an area that is going to be considered,' said McGrath. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) and Advertising Standards Authority published guidance on influencer marketing in October 2023. The agencies are understood to be clamping down on the regulations this year. Fact-checking network McGrath, who is the Irish Commissioner responsible for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection also spoke about Europe's plans to build a European network of fact-checkers, which he said will operate in all official EU languages. He said they will play 'a crucial role in verifying information and countering disinformation'. The network will empower citizens with accurate information, crucial for informed decision making, he said. 'But let me be clear, defending facts is not censorship. The right to freedom of expression does not apply to incitement or to hate speech, fake accounts or bots or trolls, nor does it apply to deliberate attempts sponsored by hostile actors to influence political debates and elections,' he said. European Commissioner for Justice Michael McGrath. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo McGrath said the public's 'genuine concern about issues' such as the cost-of-living, housing, and immigration are oftentimes 'being manipulated'. 'That is what we have to guard against and make sure that the manipulation is rooted out and is addressed. And that's what we will seek to do through the various tools and platforms that we have,' he said. Advertisement 'I think it's important we do invest in providing people with the facts. At the end of the day, it's the people's democracy. They will elect whoever they want to elect. It's their choice and we must always uphold and defend the rights of people to freely choose their representatives, but they shouldn't be doing so based on uninformed opinions. 'They should have the information that they need to make up their own mind, or at least know where they can access it. We have a duty, I think, to inform people where information is being brought forward that is blatantly incorrect,' the commissioner said. McGrath said he had 'no fears around freedom of speech' within the European Union. 'It is absolutely safe. In fact, I think people have never had more freedom to speak and to express strongly held views on a whole range of different issues. 'Any of us only have to open up our phone or computer, we will see very strongly held views being expressed, expressed on an ongoing basis about a whole range of issues. And that is absolutely right and proper. 'People should have the right to do so, and as the commissioner in charge of the charter of fundamental rights, I will be the first to stand in defense of freedom of expression,' said McGrath. 'Delicate issue' When asked about people that express what some might describe as 'far-right' views, McGrath said there is a need to 'be careful not to give the impression that 'we know best' or that we are lecturing people or telling people, 'well, you don't realise the importance of democracy' or 'you're voting for the wrong people', or 'you're misinformed''. Describing it as a 'delicate issue', McGrath said there is a need to engage with people, stating that the most powerful tool of all is to listen to people about why they hold the views that they hold and why they vote the way that they vote. The work underway is to ensure everyone has the information that they need and can access factual information, he explained. 'That, for me, is fundamentally what our role is. People will vote for who they choose. That's their fundamental democratic right, the founding value of the European Union, and we must protect and uphold it in every respect. But we have to make sure that that the pillars of our democracy and the pillars that support them in their decision-making, around rule of law, around equality, around freedom, around human rights, respect for human dignity, that all of those, are fully upheld,' said McGrath. GDPR Reforms The commissioner was also asked about reforms to GDPR that are in the works at a European level. McGrath said there is a need to strike a balance, but confirmed that there are moves to simplify the burden of compliance with the GDPR rules. 'We are committed to doing that, so I will be bringing forward measures to ease the burden of compliance with GDPR, while at the same time protecting that fundamental right of the protection of of personal data,' he said. The Journal FactCheck unit is the fact-checker partner for the Ireland EDMO hub (European Digital Media Observatory). You can find more about our collaborative work across media literacy, research and other tools against disinformation here . EDMO receives funding from a European Union programme but is an independent observatory with its own governing board and an independent advisory board. You can read more about EDMO here , and the Ireland EDMO hub here . Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
