An appeal has gone out to farmers after glyphosate was detected in public drinking water in Newport, Co Mayo. Glyphosate is a widely used pesticide in the farm community and farmers are being asked to be extra vigilant when spraying.

“A single drop of pesticide can breach the drinking water limit in a small stream for up to 30 kilometres,” Irish Water said.

Dr Pat O’Sullivan, regional drinking water compliance specialist, said that while the HSE had determined that the levels detected did not pose a risk to the local community, it was still “undesirable”.

Action group

Irish Water is working in tandem with the National Pesticides and Drinking Water Action Group (NPDWAG), which is chaired by the Department of Agriculture. The group also found that a number of pesticides used, such as Bentazone, MCPP, MCPA, Clopyralid and Fluroxypyr, are being detected more frequently in Irish water sources.

Water quality

Water quality in Ireland is relatively good in comparison to other European countries but the basis of the renewal of the Nitrates Derogation is likely to be based on whether we can improve our national water quality.

Any form of farm-related pesticide scare is unlikely to help renewal chances.

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