Pressure rises over nitrates law
Fine Gael spokesman Denis Naughten, TD, said the news from Teagasc that vital elements of the scientific evidence it provided to the Government was omitted in the final statutory instrument, raises serious questions for the environment and agriculture ministers, Dick Roche and Mary Coughlan.
“The ministers must now clarify their role and that of their departments in this whole debacle which has led to a serious chasm in the relationship between farmers and Teagasc,” he said.
Mr Naughten said it is clear that both ministers failed to prioritise a practical and sensible implementation of the directive.
“It is evident that the core principle of a scientific evidence-based approach to the implementation of the directive was shelved in favour of a policy of political expediency.”
Meanwhile, an ICMSA delegation led by president Jackie Cahill met with Teagasc chairman Dr Tom O’Dwyer, director Jim Flanagan and other senior staff in Carlow to outline the concerns of farmers.
Mr Cahill said the ICMSA sought definite scientifically-based proposals from Teagasc to allow the limits set down for nitrogen and phosphorus to be increased, as well as ensuring that the regulations can take account of the widely varying physical conditions in different parts of the country.
Meanwhile, the IFA is planning a major lobbying of politicians in Dublin next Tuesday in protest over the handling of the nitrates issues.
