Food before political correctness, says MEP

04 February 2009

MEP attacks Sinn Fein stance

Speaking in Strasbourg in the European Parliament's debate on its report on climate change, Traditional Unionist MEP, Jim Allister, who is openly sceptical about much of the hype generated on the subject, warned that production of adequate food to feed a growing world population could be seriously jeopardised by some of the unrealistic targets being set for emission reductions.

With natural emissions from livestock and modern farming practices being targeted, the Ulster Euro MP cautioned that what was being demanded was not only impracticable but prejudicial to food production. EU agriculture, he said, had already made huge reductions in emissions (20% from 1990 to 2005), but there was a limit to what more could be done.

In the course of his remarks Mr Allister said:-

"I want to raise a voice of caution in this frenzied debate about climate change, particularly as it could affect food production.
We are told the world population will spiral to 9 billion by 2050. Thus food production must correspondingly increase. Yet, within this climate change package we have emission reduction demands, which if met, would reduce food production when we'll need it most. I refer, in particular, to the targets on methane and nitrous oxide and the assault on meat and dairy consumption. These reduction targets can not be met without serious diminution in food production.

Faced with the choice of feeding the world, or ticking climate change correctness boxes, I'm afraid I'm on the side of common sense and necessity."

The TUV MEP went on to attack Sinn Fein member, Barbara de Brun, for her fanatical support for every extreme climate change demand. "I'm sure it will not be lost on the important agri-food sector in Northern Ireland, that out in Strasbourg Sinn Fein is supporting ever increasing restraints on our agricultural practices, including a demand for reduction in intensive livestock production. Once more Sinn Fein is prepared to put dogma before the economic interests of Northern Ireland."

Agriculture and Environment