THE Askeaton/Ballysteen Animal Health Committee in Limerick is withdrawing from the Environmental Protection Agency's inquiry into the deaths of more than 100 farm animals in the past eight years.
The decision was taken "reluctantly", according to committee chairman Mr Donagh O Grady. The committee blames it on a lack of regular, often exchanges of information with the EPA - a substantial breach of the information exchange agreement.
Mr O'Grady said that for more than two years, the committee, which represents local farmers and many other people living in the communities, had made every effort to work with the EPA Government Departments and State agencies to ensure the investigation would be thorough and unhindered:
"To this end farmers have given their total co operation in supplying historical data and providing full and open access to all current, information about their farms, said Mr O'Grady.
He said it was "scandalous" that the Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, had refused to meet the group and all parties to the investigation had to remain totally open.