The taoiseach has revealed he has cut down on red meat in a bid to reduce his carbon footprint and to trim down

Leo Varadkar faced criticism yesterday for his remarks about reducing meat in his diet as farmers told him they were “annoyed and disappointed”.

Earlier this month the taoiseach revealed that he was cutting down on red meat in a bid to reduce his carbon footprint and to trim down.

Joe Healy, president of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), said people were being bombarded with fad diets designed by quacks masquerading as nutritional experts. “Since the dawn of civilisation human beings have lived on a balanced diet of meat, dairy, cereals and vegetables. Life expectancy in the countries who can afford meat in their diets has been increasing,” Mr Healy told the association’s annual meeting.

He added: “Of course, the taoiseach can eat what he likes,