Agriculture | Business Post

Against the grain: How Russia’s war in Ukraine is threatening the world’s food supply

Already a humanitarian disaster on the ground, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is now looking increasingly likely to trigger a global food shortage over the coming months, with supply chains broken and potential shipping routes for grain cut off. With no end to the conflict in sight, the implications for numerous countries are potentially devastating

‘Unprecedented opportunities’ for Irish firms to thrive in Nigeria, ambassador says

African nation keen to address ‘lopsided’ trading relationship, where Irish exports to Nigeria in 2020 were worth $342m while imports totalled just $12m

Acres scheme could buy space for government ahead of harder sell announcement to farmers

Farming TDs lined up to extol the new €1.5bn agri-environment programme which will deliver grants of up to €10,000 per year — but more costly measures for the sector will be introduced in the coming weeks

Partner of man killed at meat plant takes legal action

Kildare Chilling Company is being sued as as the results of a HSA investigation into the death of Binak Cokaj are awaited

Milk production to decline by 1% in 2022

Irish dairy farmers, grappling with increases in the cost of energy, fertiliser and animal feed, are reducing their cattle numbers

Old Irish Goats given special status

Breed with origins going back an estimated 5,000 years currently has no legal protections

Climate & Environment

Ireland way off target on climate change goals and existing policies are not enough, EPA warns

The state’s environmental watchdog predicts that emissions will only fall by 27.9% by 2030 based on 2018 levels, far short of the 51% reduction required by law under the new Climate Action Bill

Editorial: Government must act quickly on key issue of dairy farming emissions

The threat posed by the climate crisis means that Irish farmers will need to agree to a cut of close to 30 per cent in emissions

Against the grain: Global food shortages loom as Ukraine’s supply line remains blocked

Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has meant millions of tons of staple food crops remain stuck in the country – with potentially disastrous consequences for the rest of the world too

Glanbia reports positive start to year with revenues up 33%

Strong demand for sports nutrition and plant-based products helping to drive growth, according to the company

0.2% of agricultural land needed for solar to meet renewable energy targets, TDs told

55 to 80% of land used for solar farms can also be used for agricultural purposes such as grazing, Irish Solar Energy Association says

John Gibbons: As the smoke clears from the turf controversy, the betrayal on climate action becomes clearer

The yellow streak running through so much of our political culture as it refuses to engage with the existential climate crisis is a stain on our national discourse

John Gibbons: No winners in using the crisis in Ukraine as cover to derail climate policies

While the crisis lays bare our vulnerabilities on food and energy, the notion of doubling down on fossil fuels in the wake of the Russian invasion has been strongly criticised

An Bord Pleanála questions impact of €40m beef plant on national herd

The state body wants to consider the possible effects on the environment of the proposed processing plant in Banagher, Co Offaly

Two top Origin executives get share options of potentially €830,000

The company is one of a number of food and agribusiness companies affected by the war in Ukraine, and has suspended all imports of fertilisers from Russia

Susan O’Keeffe: For the wrong reasons, Ireland could become a self-sufficient, food-secure country

Charlie McConalogue may be wrong in the moment to encourage the growth of feed crops rather than food but he is right in the longer term

Elaine Byrne: The invasion of Ukraine will change the world

From food security to defence to our very government, the humanitarian crisis in eastern Europe will affect every area of Irish life in ways we can’t yet fathom

Origin Enterprises halts Ukrainian operations

The listed, Dublin-headquartered agribusiness group has a €31 million Ukrainian subsidiary

Inflation wave could hike food prices by 5%, economist warns

The prediction comes as Irish households face the biggest squeeze on disposable incomes in two decades

Minister to look at changing law to stop ‘trophy-hunting’ of old Irish goats

Agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue has met with conservationists who argue the endangered native breed needs more protection