The European Parliament is to be petitioned on behalf of a Co Kilkenny farmer to find a resolution to problems on his farm on which more than 70 animals have died since 1998.
In addition, it is claimed that cattle growth has been stunted at the farm of Dan Brennan and his wife Bríd, who are based outside Castlecomer. The farm is beside the Ormonde Brick Company, which is owned by Cement Roadstone Holdings.
Investigations of the deaths by both the Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which licensed the Ormonde plant, have failed to come up with reasons for the cattle deaths.
The Ormonde Brick Company rejects any suggestions that its operations may be causing problems on the farm, and says it operates and adheres to the requirements of its EPA licence.
Deputy leader of the Green Party and councillor Mary White said yesterday she would bring a case to the European Petitions Committee.
"Anyone who has visited the farm will be shocked at the state of the cattle. They are small in size and obviously suffering from an as yet unidentified form of ill thrift and stunted growth. It is also apparent that there is an environmental problem which not only affects stock but also trees, which are dying on part of this farm."
Ms White said it was "staggering" that the EPA and the Department of Agriculture had been unable to find the cause of the problems.
This was despite the farm co- operating with the department and undertaking two feeding trials which had thrown up dramatic results. In particular, she added, the EPA, which had a mandate to protect the environment, had still not been able to establish the cause of the problems.
"I am looking forward to lodging this petition next week and I will call on all Irish members of the European Parliament to push forward this petition in order that it is admitted, heard and a resolution found for this truly extraordinary case which has inflicted such hardship on this young Kilkenny farmer and his family," Ms White said.
The Department of Agriculture said the details of its investigation would be published in "a few weeks".