Keeping an eye on nitrates

By Pat O'Keeffe

08 September 07: Tom Dunne's term as chairman of the IFA Environment Committee is coming to an end. It's been a tough posting for the past four years. The Nitrates debate consumed much of his time and energy. He says the key essential during this debate was to protect grass-based production and allow poultry and pig farmers spread manure on a grass base. "I believe we've been successful in protecting the grass base and within the derogation, farmers can operate at a reasonably intensive stocking rate on grass.''

However, he says a lot of work still must be done to protect pigs and poultry after 2011 when the derogation expires. "There is a task force in place to find a solution and that will have to be done and done urgently.''

He refutes any suggestion that IFA had its eye off the ball on the nitrates issue. "I've been a member of the European Dairy Farmers club since 1990 and I knew these rules were coming - they didn't sneak up on us. The problem is that back in 1990, the original Directive was poorly written and it couldn't be re-written.''

He says Irish farming systems didn't fit into the model, but the Directive was accepted by Department of Agriculture officials without recognising the problems it posed.

"Every country is having problems with Nitrates. I believe we secured by far the best outcome. At a cow to the acre, we have 306kg available nitrogen which allows us to put out twice as much chemical fertiliser as farmers in Holland or Belgium. Our grass-based system allows us do this."

"The regulations currently in place will be re-vamped in three years. "The main river catchments will be examined and it's vital that they show an improvement in water quality.''

He believes farmers are unfairly targeted when it comes to water quality. "There are 49 sewage treatment plants in Cork and the EPA says 47 of them will be inadequate within two years - that's crazy.''

"I believe the relationship between stocking rates and water quality is not proven - water quality is a management issue; it has nothing to do with stocking rates. There is no threat from intensive grass-based systems to water quality and I believe the review will bear this out. It's in the best interests of farmers to prove this is the case. But one thing is certain - we will have to have good water going forward to be allowed farm.''

The Water Framework Directive is the next piece of EU environmental legislation that farmers will face - demanding very high standards of water quality by 2015. The country is divided into river basin catchment areas and IFA has a member on each committee.

"Our job is to ensure that farmers aren't treated any differently, or are blamed in the wrong, if problems emerge. The River Basin Districts could have different regulations for local reasons - we want standardised regulations, not different rules in Kerry or Donegal.

Tom Dunne says the environment is a growing area of employment with numerous agencies and consultants all aiming to make work for themselves. "I remember attending a water quality conference about five years ago where there were only 30-40 people there. Now, there's hardly a week without an environmental conference of some sort and they are all booked out.''

"Farmers need to have their views heard at these conferences and achieving this puts a huge strain on voluntary people in IFA. There's no point going to meetings, unless people are up to speed and can understand the arguments being put forward. And that's a real challenge for the association.''

Looking forward, Tom Dunne believes that farmers can meet the strict environmental standards.

"Contrary to what some people think, farmers have a very good environmental record.''

He says that IFA does an awful lot of work behind the scenes - work most farmers never hear about.

"It's not widely known that we got a clause into the Ground Water Directive that virtually removed agriculture from its remit, by stating that all farming matters are to be dealt with by the Nitrates Directive.''

"It's vital to be active at the planning stages of these Directives otherwise you have the same mess as with the Nitrates Directive.''

A family farm

Tom Dunne farms in partnership with his parents, Michael and Nora, and his brother Michael. The farm, in the parish of Kilworth, faces down to the Blackwater Valley.

On a clear day, you can see five counties. The farm was purchased by Tom's great grandfather in 1875 and every generation has added to it.

"We used to finish beef but now we concentrate on the dairy herd - we have expanded numbers and we'll expand further, up to a level we can manage ourselves.''

The herd is mainly cross bred Scandinavian Reds. Bull calves are sold and only replacement heifers are kept.

Cows are milked twice a day in the first half of the lactation, but only once a day in the second half. "Our focus is on profit and yield is secondary. We want easy managed healthy cows. And the margin at the end of year is what we focus on.''

Tom Dunne is married to Geraldine and they have four children - Michael, Timmy, Anna and Brian who is going on two. He believes it's essential that there's a balance between farm and family life.

"In the future, farmers will need to operate some form of partnership arrangement. Wives won't put up with their husbands being slaves to a farm.''

The future

"For the past six years, I've given a huge commitment to IFA and in fairness to my brother who held the fort here - I'll be returning to full-time farming. We're all into GAA and I expect I'll be on the road to matches a lot more.''

He also intends to rekindle his interest in the local dramatic society. "I've really enjoyed being involved in IFA even though at times it was stressful enough. I still intend to be involved locally as I think all farmers should be.''

Tom Dunne also has an interest in reflexology and has completed a course in the therapy. "I made a decision long ago that I wouldn't retire and I believe it's important to have interests outside farming.

"For instance, my father as well as being a farmer, is a marriage guidance counsellor. Farmers have a huge range of talents, but too often sell themselves short.''