IFA suspends Teagasc support over nitrates

THE Irish Farmers Association has decided to suspend its support for Teagasc, including financial support, over its handling of the European Union nitrates directive.

Teagasc said last night it regretted the IFA move and again insisted it does not accept that any of the scientific data it submitted to the Government Departments with regards to the nitrates directive was inaccurate or flawed and found it difficult to understand the demand that it be withdrawn.

IFA president Padraig Walshe earlier claimed there was a crisis of confidence in Teagasc.