Cowslips and the agricultural adviser
As an agricultural adviser, I question the portrayal of my colleagues. Firstly, advice is based on agricultural policy. It is unfair to blame agricultural advisers for policy issues.
On technical issues, even limestone soils may need liming for production due to surface acidity. The level required is normally determined by soil analysis. The cowslip is a plant of limey soils. In improved grassland, it is the increase in soil nitrogen, phosphorus and potash levels that does not suit them. These nutrients are released following liming, but are also applied.
With regard to policy, when food production was the priority, intensification and specialisation were logical. Due to the success of the agricultural industry, production increased. The past must not be overlooked in present debates.
The reform of the CAP in 1992 addressed new issues of over-production. Concern over the decline in biodiversity led to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which was signed at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. The National Biodiversity Plan for Ireland followed on from this. Agri-environmental schemes were developed to address the decline in biodiversity. One of the objectives of REPS is to protect wildlife habitats and endangered species of flora and fauna. More than 36,000 farmers participate in this scheme.
In response to changing policy, agricultural advice has responded. Teagasc, the agricultural advisory, training and research agency now has more than 90 agri-environmentalists as well as REPS advisers.
Farms are businesses, and finances dictate decisions. Considering the positive response to countryside management issues, farmers like the environment. And the environment needs farmers.
So, let’s get sustainable farmers farming sustainable systems. And don’t shoot the messenger!
Catherine Keena,
Countryside Management Specialist,
Teagasc Kildalton,
Piltown,
Co Kilkenny.
