Local authorities worst polluters, claims farmer

Every farmer is entitled to expect common courtesy and fair play, the president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association told his annual general meeting in Limerick last night when he hit out at those who unfairly criticise the sector.

Pat O’Rourke said he does not want to hear ”hypocrites” on the national airwaves accusing farmers of polluting streams and rivers when those people themselves live in newly-built houses in newly-expanded villages, where untreated and raw sewage is pumped or allowed to flow into adjacent streams and rivers by the county council.

“That’s the reason why I have to bite my tongue when I hear some man or woman castigating farmers as the country’s worst polluters,” he said.