Sir, – At a time of climate crisis could I suggest that we increase local production of commonly used items?
From a climate change perspective, it makes sense to have as short a distance as possible between the purchaser and the consumer.
To give two brief examples, while shoes were made in 10 Irish towns in 1971, now, aside from dancing shoes, shoes are not made in Ireland. All our cattle hides are exported and shoes are imported into Ireland from 134 countries.
The last sugar factory in Ireland closed in 2006. Ireland now imports sugar from nine countries, including France and the Netherlands and from as far away as Japan and El Salvador.
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Could I also ask why the flour used to make Irish sliced pans is imported from the UK, originally coming from the US and Canada?
In the light of global unrest and economic uncertainty, it is only practical to be as self-sufficient as possible, at least for the essentials.
Local food production boosts local economies and in addition increases community resilience and cohesion.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin stated in the Dáil, on May 18th, 2023, that we were reliant on digital architecture and networks for our economic well-being and our prosperity.
Would we not be better off, from a climate and social perspective, if we met our essential needs at a national, if not local, level? – Yours, etc,
ELIZABETH CULLEN
Thomastown,
Kilcullen,
Co Kildare.