Pesticides
Andy Doyle on 08 Apr 2021
Farm to Fork sets the tone for the coming decades
The loss of yet more actives and the introduction of the Farm to Fork strategy sets the tone for EU policy evolution and pesticide use for the decades ahead.
Amy Forde on 31 Mar 2021
Irish Water asks farmers if they need to use pesticides
Research has found that MCPA, used in spray to control thistles, docks and rushes, is still the most commonly detected pesticide in drinking water sources.
Barry Cassidy on 25 Mar 2021
€500,000 committed for water protection in group water schemes
The measures to be implemented include the creation of smart buffer zones, the promotion of alternatives to pesticide use, and the rollout of educational initiatives.
Siobhán Walsh on 17 Mar 2021
Lockdown gardeners may have been 'overzealous' with glyphosate
MCPA was the most common pesticide exceedance, accounting for 46 of the 91 exceedances in 2020.
Contributor on 10 Mar 2021
Strip cropping: social distancing for crops
Social distancing can prevent the spread of disease in crops as well as humans. Rogier Schulte reports.
Siobhán Walsh on 12 Feb 2021
Have your say on the sustainable use of pesticides directive
It is important for farmers to contribute to consultation processes such as this, as every submission can affect future policy and regulations.
Peter Thomas Keaveney on 10 Feb 2021
Pöttinger adds to its product range with new venture
Pöttinger are partnering with fellow Austrian manufacturers CFS Cross Farm Solution to bring a range of mechanical hoes to the market in Pöttinger livery later this year.
Barry Cassidy on 14 Jan 2021
CAP eco schemes: what the EU will pay farmers for in 2023
Up to 30% of farmers' direct payments will be set aside to fund agricultural practices that are based around climate, environment, or animal welfare issues.
Andy Doyle on 06 Jan 2021
Tillage Management: a wetter year, but not by much
This is an important time of the year for planning out the year ahead and to analyse crop and product options.
Amy Forde on 20 Dec 2020
EU to audit Ireland on vet medicine residues and food safety law
The EU will audit Ireland next year on its compliance with EU law around residues of veterinary medicine products in animals and food.
Stephen Robb on 16 Dec 2020
A changing approach to crop production
With the coming decade set to be a defining one for agriculture, Stephen Robb talks to Sam Deane of New Generation Agriculture about an alternative approach to crop production
Andy Doyle on 09 Dec 2020
Tillage Management: cold and wet bring the season to an end
With soil temperatures well down and lots of rain in the forecast it is now time to put away machinery until close to the end of January.
on 02 Dec 2020
Farm to Fork: serious conversation needed on breeding techniques
The European Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy aims to reduce pesticide use in the EU by 50% 2030.
Barry Cassidy on 26 Nov 2020
What’s on the table in the next nitrates review?
A review of the rules to protect watercourses from nutrient pollution arising from agriculture is to take place over the coming months with the first public consultation just announced.
Andy Doyle on 18 Nov 2020
Having clean water is not an optional extra for life
Clean water is important for society but it can be damaged by the presence or excess nutrients, pesticides, or by bacterial contamination from organic sources.
Andy Doyle on 04 Nov 2020
Tillage can do more on sustainability and environmental footprint
While tillage farming is reasonable on some environmental measures, there is always more that can be done and improved soil health and added biodiversity could help further.
Niall Hurson on 20 Oct 2020
Department announces €8m for bioeconomy research
A total of seven Irish research-performing organisations will benefit from the awards announced on Tuesday.
Andy Doyle on 02 Oct 2020
Different EU agrochemical treatment is not a sustainability action
Having different pesticide control requirements for internal EU and external producers can hardly be tolerable as a sustainability objective.
Niall Hurson on 30 Sep 2020
Rise in pesticide problems linked to non-farming use
Irish Water has noted a higher level of water quality issues that it is linking to amateur users of pesticides.
Phelim O'Neill on 11 Sep 2020
Agriculture barrier to EU-UK trade deal
Regulatory and global trade strategist Daniella Taveau and director of Atlantic Council Dr David A Bray gave a US perspective to the ASA conference.