Farmers coming under increasing pressure to concede on a 30% emissions reduction can’t meet the target.
That’s according to IFA Ulster/North Leinster Chairman, Frank Brady.
Mr Brady who spoke to Northern Sound this afternoon said the "best" farmers can do, for now, is 22%.
Meanwhile, emissions targets are being discussed at a meeting of the Oireachtas Agriculture Committee today.
Mr Brady says anything higher than 22% will destroy food production in Ireland and the country will become overly reliant on imported food.
He warned of the importance of farmers starting off with a "realistic" target and building on that over time.
The regional IFA chair said that farmers want to "do their bit", and not get left behind with regard to the environment, but solutions that worked for "everybody" was the only way forward.
"We are quite happy to become the solution and we will become the solution if people listen to us," added Mr Brady
"We don't want to go above 22% because we feel it is not achievable, and we don't want to have to break the law.
"It's not going to be easy but we are willing to do our bit.
"And that means setting a target that we can achieve."
