Pollution
Contributor on 21 Jun 2021
Where would we be without trees?
Take a big breath of air. Where did the oxygen come from? Trees, of course. Ray Ó Foghlú tells us all about Irish trees and their importance to our world.
Siobhán Walsh on 17 May 2021
EU launches zero-pollution plan for air, water and soil
The Farm to Fork Strategy is the main guide for farmers in this plan, which targets a reduction in fertiliser and pesticide use.
Lorcan Allen on 05 Mar 2021
Humans waste almost 1bn tonnes of food every year, says UN
The United Nations' latest report on food waste says humans waste 17% of all food produced by farmers and food producers every year.
Aidan Brennan on 24 Feb 2021
Fertiliser use in the spotlight
Aidan Brennan looks at what is coming up in this Focus on fertilisers.
Amy Forde on 08 Jan 2021
More measures needed to cut EU ammonia emissions - Commission
As part of the European Commission’s second clean air outlook, the Commission has said that the CAP will have “a crucial role to play” when it comes to cutting air pollution from farming.
Stephen Robb on 06 Jan 2021
Biomethane-powered rail cars could soon come to the UK
The 120-person lightweight rail car is powered by biomethane produced from human, farm and food waste.
Matt Dempsey on 22 Dec 2020
Dempsey at Large: Logic and evidence a must
When the time comes for detailed discussion, Ireland should not be afraid to insist on logic and evidence.
David Wright on 16 Dec 2020
NI farm pollution cases drop in 2020
For the year to the end of November 2020 pollution incidents linked to NI farms have been significantly reduced.
Amy Forde on 09 Dec 2020
Fencing off: farmers improving water quality for the Duncannon community
The Duncannon Blue Flag Farming and Communities Scheme EIP, a €550,000 scheme which began in 2018 and will end in 2021, is aimed at blue flag status for Duncannon beach in Wexford.
Niall Hurson on 04 Dec 2020
Requirement to allocate land for climate action is ‘crude’ - Fitzgerald
The Climate Change Advisory Council chair said that farmers must be paid for their carbon sequestration measures and the mitigation of pollution to waterways.
The Dealer on 02 Dec 2020
Change is coming, but nothing to be scared of
The prime directive for farmers is to safely mind the land for the next generation. But what does that mean in 2020?
Niall Hurson on 02 Dec 2020
Arrabawn Dairies fined €3.5k for polluting river
A judge has imposed a fine on the company of €1,000 and awarded costs of €2,659 to Inland Fisheries Ireland.
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.
Niall Hurson on 25 Nov 2020
Public consultation opens on Nitrates Action Programme
The regulations expire at the end of 2021 and a new Nitrates Action Programme must be published at the beginning of 2022.
Amy Forde on 18 Nov 2020
Investigations into bogslides as thousands of tonnes of bog and trees shift
Two bogslides over the last number of days have resulted in thousands of tonnes of bog shifting in Kerry and Donegal.
Niall Hurson on 12 Nov 2020
Daily release of sewage into water ‘a serious concern for EPA’
The EPA estimates there are 113 areas where priority action is needed to protect public health and the environment.
Andy Doyle on 09 Oct 2020
Ammonia and nitrogen transformation
While improved slurry spreading and a switch to protected urea can help reduce all emissions, pressure for ammonia loss will continue while systems are highly loaded with nitrogen.
Andy Doyle on 07 Oct 2020
Ammonia is a form of nitrogen loss from farming
Ammonia gas emissions represent a loss of nitrogen from agriculture, pose a threat to the environment, and are almost exclusively originating from agriculture.
Andy Doyle on 07 Oct 2020
Tackling ammonia emissions with a new MACC
With 99% of our ammonia emissions originating from agriculture (mainly livestock), we have little choice but to change practices to minimise the loss of the gas and the loss of nitrogen.
Peter McCann on 09 Sep 2020
Seaweed cuts livestock emissions – QUB study
Previous research has found including seaweed supplements in ruminant diets reduces methane emissions by 70%