Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
129. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to studies showing that Government policies to tackle climate change are causing a mental health crisis among farmers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19714/23]
View answerThis study ‘Dying to Farm: Developing a Suicide Prevention Intervention for Farmers in Ireland’ represents welcomed insight to this critical sector of Irish society, underscoring the importance of mental health initiatives and suicide awareness for members of the farming community.
The study, which I note is still ongoing and for which preliminary data is being reported, highlights levels of anxiety being experienced by the farming community. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Change in the Irish Mind (2021) and the Climate Change's Four Irelands (2022) reports indicate that a majority of people in Ireland (85%) are worried about climate change, with 37% describing themselves as “very worried”. Furthermore, they also identify that nearly all Irish people think that either future generations of people (95%), people in developing countries (94%), and plant and animal species (94%) will be harmed “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” by climate change. The Climate Conversations 2022 Summary Report shows that 88% of people recognise the agri-food sector has an important role in delivering climate action. It also indicates that 85% of people are taking some form of action and called for more guidance and supports to be given to farmers.I note from the draft findings how strongly the farming community identifies with the land. The Land-use Review, in seeking to optimise land use across key Government objectives such as improving socioeconomic, climate, biodiversity, water, and air quality outcomes, shall do so through extensive stakeholder consultation, ensuring that all opinions, concerns, hopes and anxieties are central to informing any potential policy recommendations.
