The IFA has called for the Government to back the farming community in its contribution to climate action, by drawing up a list of steps it believes should be taken.

The five-step plan should, the IFA says, offset further carbon taxes, which the association claims hurts farmers economically, while not actually lowering climate emissions.

Among the steps laid out is the establishment of a “cross-sectoral implementation group” to deliver on Teagasc’s climate abatement report from June.

The IFA also wants the Government to work with the European Union to bring in a carbon tariff on goods from South America, which are “less climate efficient” – this, it hopes, will “incentivise carbon efficient food production”.

Thomas Cooney, IFA Environment Committee chairman, said: “This detailed submission to Government restates the IFA’s opposition to further carbon taxes on the sector, which are directly impacting on farming’s competitiveness without reducing climate emissions.

“Farmers in Ireland have a proud record as carbon efficient food producers. We can and will do more, particularly in the resource efficiency and renewable areas,” he added.