Teagasc must aid farmers in low cost slurry systems
John O’Connor, chairman of the Farm Services and Environment Committee, said that with the possible implementation of EU environment directives in the coming year, there is no doubt, that, in order to meet the conditions and to stay in business, many farmers will have to invest in slurry management and storage facilities.
“Given the economics in farming the possibility of financing investment in conventional slurry storage facilities will be extremely difficult for a huge number of farmers,” said Mr O'Connor. “Investment requirements of up to 2 billion have been suggested in order to meet the directive requirements. Many farmers simply will not be able to afford the investment required.”
Mr O’Connor said these environment directives represent a very serious threat to many Irish farms and Teagasc has a key role along with government in minimising the threat.
He called on Teagasc to deliver low cost slurry storage facilities and management practices that will address pollution problems on farms at a level of investment that the vast majority of farmers can afford.
“Farmers have seen little developments in the area of low cost slurry storage in the past number of years.
“Teagasc has a responsibility to farmers to deliver such initiatives and this must be a key Teagasc priority over the coming year,” he said.
