Ireland weighs culling 200,000 dairy cows to meet climate goals, but says decision 'not final'

The Department of Agriculture in Ireland said that a report outlining a 200,000 reduction in dairy cows was a “modelling document” and "not final policy."

According to a Friday report, cows would have to be “culled” at a cost of approximately $650,000 to taxpayers over the next three years to meet climate emissions requirements.

The Farming Independent received the documents via a freedom of information request.

“The Paper referred to was part of a deliberative process – it is one of a number of modelling documents considered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and is not a final policy decision," said a spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, according to the Irish Mirror. 

Ireland's Environmental Protection Agency reports that the country's agriculture sector was responsible for 38% of national Greenhouse Gases emissions in 2021. 

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has repeatedly suggested proposals for voluntary dairy reduction, according to the Irish Mirror. 

Last month the European Commission announced approval of paying $1.6 billion to buy out livestock farmers in the Netherlands to reduce nitrogen pollution, according to Reuters.