Pesticides
Pat O'Toole on 19 Jun 2021
Losing glyphosate would be a blow to progressive tillage farming
Glyphosate has been at the centre of a culture war, but with the science far from resolved, its banning would be a retrograde step, argues Pat O'Toole.
Amy Forde on 18 Jun 2021
Farmers need to be at centre of biodiversity strategy - Markey
Last week MEPs adopted the resolution “EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives” with 515 votes to 90 and 86 abstentions.
Niall Hurson on 14 Jun 2021
Almost 14% of all pesticides sold in EU are counterfeits
Some 1,346 tonnes of illicit and counterfeit pesticides were seized during 2020.
Amy Forde on 10 Jun 2021
MEPs call for binding EU biodiversity law and ban on glyphosate
MEPs want €20bn/year to be mobilised for biodiversity action in Europe and for glyphosate to be banned after 2022.
Andy Doyle on 12 May 2021
EU unlikely to ban products with traces of banned pesticides
While EU commission officials might like to ban imports of products that contain banned pesticide actives it remains unlikely to do so because of WTO rules.
Siobhán Walsh on 12 May 2021
What plant protection products need to be used by the end of this season?
It is important to keep track of the products in your chemical store and make sure products which are no longer registered are not present in the store.
Siobhán Walsh on 05 May 2021
Overcoming and embracing challenges faced in farming
Farmers need to consider the changes coming in as a challenge not just to be overcome but to improve farm businesses.
Siobhán Walsh on 05 May 2021
Massive drops in nitrogen and fungicide use on this Tipperary farm
The Tierneys' tillage farm in Co Tipperary is no ordinary farm. It is a farm preparing for a future with less pesticides and fertiliser use.
Niall Hurson on 05 May 2021
Commission ‘in the process of’ banning imports which exceed pesticide limits
The Commission also confirmed that an impact assessment of the Farm to Fork Strategy as a whole would not be conducted.
Siobhán Walsh on 21 Apr 2021
Agri-Food Strategy 2030: how does it stack up for each sector?
The Irish Farmers Journal team analyses the draft Agri-Food 2030 strategy and points out the opportunities and threats.
Darren Carty on 16 Apr 2021
Traditional hay meadows should now be closed
Grazing is prohibited on GLAS traditional hay meadows from 15 April until after the meadow is mown annually, which must be after 1 July.
Siobhán Walsh on 14 Apr 2021
Buffer zones: know where to keep your distance
Fertiliser and plant protection product application is limited close to watercourses and farmers should be familiar with the rules as we enter peak season.
Siobhán Walsh on 13 Apr 2021
Pesticide residue levels safe in EU - EFSA
The EFSA has suggested that the number of samples taken on different commodities be revisited.
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.