Staying clean and green

SERIOUS questions are being raised about the impact on Ireland’s environment of the so-called “greening’’ of the EU’s agriculture policies (CAP).

Under Food Harvest 2020, we’re set for huge growth in farm output, with plans to meet food demands which are expected to grow globally by 50% by 2030.

The latest EPA report highlights a worsening of water quality in former “pristine’’ locations and, with even more intensification of farm production, there are warnings of future problems. Our “clean and green’’ food branding image could be on the line, as if the horsemeat scandal was not enough.