Show us the proof before blaming farmers for water pollution
Yes, some farmers are contributors to water quality problems, but the majority have put their pollution controls in order, at substantial cost, over and above any EU or state support which they received. Yet the impression is being given that if the country was rid of farm slurry and fertilisers, water quality problems would be solved.
Nothing could be further from the truth, and the latest report shows that sources outside of farming continue to be among major contributors to water contamination. It is time that there was more specific identification and publication of the defined sources of poor water quality. Let the farmers have the scientific evidence which would show how much they are to blame. But it is time to stop the glossing over of other possible serious sources of contamination of water by using farmers as the scapegoats every time a report is presented.
The EPA know that if they lay the blame on any identified industrial source, they will be called on, in a very determined manner, to produce scientific proof.
There has been little mention of the one in three public supplies in Donegal that have excessive aluminium; the water supplies in Co Kilkenny with unacceptably high levels of aluminium; and the concern over compliance with aluminium levels in Co Limerick.
Poor compliance on fluoridation was identified at Ennis, and there were serious problems with aluminium levels in all public supplies in Co Wicklow.
Clarification is needed on the adequacy of sewage treatment by several local authorities, who have consistently hid behind the excuse of lack of funding.
Planning approvals have been granted in the past for holiday complexes from which raw sewage flowed directly into lakes or rivers.
If water supplies are not up to the required standard, all those at fault must be reprimanded and corrective measures vigorously pursued, uniformly and fairly, irrespective of whether they are farmers, local authorities, industrialists or developers.
It is not good enough to repeatedly point the finger of blame at farmers only. If there are problems, let’s identify the sources, backed by the necessary proofs. Only then will the country really know if the bashing of farmers is justified.
