Lip service to pollution directive ‘dangerous’

Sean Regan, chief environmental adviser with the State authority, said a sensible and coherent national approach is essential to ensure the nitrates directive delivers measurable improvements in water quality within four years.

Otherwise, more than 10,000 of the most commercial farms could be affected, he told the Teagasc national conferences in Tullamore, Co Offaly, on the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS).

Mr Regan said the Irish action programme, now at an advanced stage of preparation by the Government, will address critical requirements such as stock limits, slurry storage and spreading and best environmental practices at farm level.

The directive specifies a maximum of 2.5 dairy cows or equivalent per hectare, falling to two dairy cows or equivalent after four years.

Over 100,000 people are farming at less than two dairy cows or equivalent per hectare. One-third of these are participating in REPS and are assumed to be in compliance with the directive. Compliance for the remainder will involve much the same pollution control facilities and practices as operate for REPS.