Protection of water basins a priority in Nitrates Action Plan

Protection of water basins a priority in Nitrates Action Plan


Farm inspections a bone of contention

Ciara Galvin

Mayo has one of the highest numbers of high-quality water sites of any river-basin district, which includes rivers, lakes and surface water, according to Larry Walsh of the Environment Section of Mayo County Council.
Mr Walsh made the point during a presentation he delivered in Castlebar last Thursday to members of the Environmental Policy and Agricultural Strategic Policy Committee.
Explaining the Western River Basin Management Plan to the committee, Mr Walsh highlighted the need to preserve Mayo’s water quality and to protect water basins of high quality generally, citing phosphorus in water as a problem nationally.
Speaking about the need to sustain good water quality, Director of Services Martin Keating said water quality in the future would determine Ireland’s quota of food production.
Stressing the need for cooperation between farmers and various government departments Mr Keating said: “We have to adopt a partnership approach.”  
Mr Walsh’s told the meeting that 31 per cent of farms in Mayo failed nitrates inspections in 2011. Responding, Irish Farmers’ Association representative Thomas Fitzpatrick, said the inspections were ‘very severe’.
“It [an inspection] really is worse than an audit. Farmers find it very difficult,” said Mr Fitzpatrick, adding that he did not know of many other places of work where where inspections occur without warning.
Reasons given for non-compliance included the inadequate management of storage facilities for livestock and clean water not being directed to clean water areas.