# Ireland moves to slaughter 200,000 cows over climate concerns

By Sara Higdon · Published 2023-06-03 · News & Analysis › World · https://humanevents.com/news/ireland-moves-to-slaughter-200000-cows-over-climate-concerns

> "It is one of a number of modeling documents considered by the Department of Agriculture"

On Wednesday, a [Freedom of Information Act](https://humanevents.com/2023/05/29/eu-disinformation-agency-says-twitter-has-legal-obligation-to-comply-with-oversight-program-after-elon-musk-pulls-out) request revealed that the [Irish government](https://humanevents.com/2023/04/30/ireland-on-track-to-pass-a-massive-hate-speech-bill-criminalizing-social-media-posts-likely-to-incite-violence-or-hatred) is looking at plans to "cull" 200,000 cows to meet its climate goals to satisfy the [European Union's (EU)](https://humanevents.com/2023/05/23/climate-activists-attempt-to-storm-the-stage-during-shells-shareholder-meeting-in-london) net zero requirements.

According to the [Irish Mirror](https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/department-agriculture-responds-says-report-30128058), the reduction would cost taxpayers €600,000 over three years to pay for. The Department of Agriculture responded to the reports stating that the plan is not yet final policy, but a "modeling document" and various options are being considered.

[Watch on Rumble](https://rumble.com/embed/v1ayxhh/?pub=2n05b)

"The Paper referred to was part of a deliberative process – it is one of a number of modeling documents considered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and is not a final policy decision," a spokesperson said. "As part of the normal work of Government Departments, various options for policy implementation are regularly considered.”

Last year, Ireland Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue introduced a proposal to begin a voluntary dairy reduction scheme next year as the country tries to reduce its emissions by 25% before 2030.

According to reports from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Ireland has around 2.5 million beef and dairy cows, which account for two-thirds of the agricultural products.

An Environmental Protection Agency report from 2021 found that the entire agriculture sector accounts for 38% of the country's Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) emissions.

A report by The [Telegraph](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjgxaTuy6f_AhWRnWoFHVV4DWUQFnoECA4QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegraph.co.uk%2Fnews%2F2023%2F06%2F02%2Firelands-mooted-cow-massacre-warning-to-net-zero-britain%2F&usg=AOvVaw0XbJb1VMMOHjyLUU8w7xuj), notes that these revelations in Ireland come just after Dutch farmers were threatened with compulsory purchase for the same reason. The government would offer a financial incentive for the farmers to give up their cows.

The EU has set a target to become the first continent to achieve net-zero greenhouse gases with 2050 as the legally binding target date, according to [Eco-Logic](https://www.ecologic.eu/19134#:~:text=The%20EU%20has%20set%20itself,2030%2C%20compared%20to%201990%20levels.). It has set a target of a 55% emissions reduction by 2030, as compared to levels seen in 1990.     The [European Climate Law](https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/european-green-deal/european-climate-law_en) was officially adopted on July 29, 2021.