Probe into waste control
In one of the biggest crackdowns on pollution control so far undertaken in Co Limerick, the County Council will investigate all farms adjoining and adjacent to the Banogue river in West Limerick.
Farm organisation leaders in the county have been informed by the Environment Section of the Council that the Banogue river is “almost dead”, and efforts will now be made to trace all possible sources of pollution contributing to the decline in the quality of water in the river, both farming and other sources.
The leaders of farming organisations in the country were briefed on the details of the upcoming investigation at a meeting with Council officials last week. A team of inspectors will comb through the farms with a meticulous examination of procedures and practices between now and the end of the year.
In the past Limerick County Council has taken a firm but reasonable approach to the difficulties of dealing with pollution on farms, and it is expected that they will adopt the same course of action in this case.
Each farm in the region will be individually visited and will be required to provide detailed information on their stocking levels, fertiliser and slurry application levels, waste management including slurry storage facilities, and the pollution control measures which are in place.
Michael O’Flynn, chairman, Limerick County IFA Executive, said that the organisation had to accept that there is a problem with the quality of water in the river, from the information which the County Council presented to the meeting.
“They are not saying that farmers are the only sector to blame for this, and my understanding is that they will be examining in close detail all possible sources of pollution of the river in this investigation“, he said “They are going into a lot of detail and they expect that up to a half day will be spent on each farm by an inspector in a thorough examination of the facilities and procedures. I have to accept that farmers have pollution control responsibilities. All we are asking for is that the approach by the County Council is reasonable, where there are problems to be resolved“, he added.
Mr O’Flynn said that a time frame for carrying out necessary pollution control work will be allowed for farmers found to have a problem, but he was satisfied that prosecutions will not be the first line of action by the County Council, except where there is extensive and blatant disregard for pollution control. “My understanding is that they will be pointing out to farmers, where problems are uncovered, that they will have to carry out the necessary changes, but they will be giving them time in which to complete the necessary work”, he added.
A public meeting to outline the details of the investigation will be held at Raheenagh Hall in West Limerick on October 7.
