(1) The narrative from the agri-food sector on food security & sustainability is hypocritical in many ways. This is demonstrated perhaps most clearly in how the sector has hijacked the 17 SDGs.

Take infant formula, for example.

(2) Since the ending of milk quotas, Ireland's agri-food sector has been working with State agencies such as Bord Bia and Teagasc to develop and expand the market for Irish–made infant formula.

https://www.kildarestreet.com/committees/?id=2015-02-03a.5

(3) At the same time, Bord Bia claim to be aligned with 15 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In fact, the Irish government has responsibility for promoting, mainstreaming and overseeing implementation of the 2030 Agenda & its 17 SDGs - with a national & international focus

(4) The United Nations clearly state that breastfeeding, and crucially, support of, is critical to achieving many of the SDGs.

(5) And yet, today in the FJ, we read about Bord Bia driven exports for the first half of 2020 which include a 5% increase (on the same period for last year) for the value dairy export of "infant food" (i.e., formula). https://www.farmersjournal.ie/market-insights-mid-term-report-564993

(6) We focus on China, where there is a particular export focus. Ireland has one of the lowest breastfeeding rates in Europe. Yet, the three biggest infant formula producers are based here. Now there is cultural dissonance.

Revisit this article: https://www.dfa.ie/media/dfa/alldfawebsitemedia/ourrolesandpolicies/int-priorities/humanrights/nationalplanonbizandhr/Baby-Feeding-Law-Group--IBFAN.pdf

If the Irish gov. is seriously committed to achieving the SDGs, a much more critical focus is needed on the promotion of infant formula here and internationally.

Otherwise, we are knowingly undermining planetary AND public health for current & future generations.