It looks as if the Irish Farmers Association is about to force the Government into changes on the EU Nitrates Directive that could lead to the long-term pollution of drinking water resources. A meeting of the farm advisory body, Teagasc, yesterday agreed to modify its scientific advice on stocking levels and the spreading of animal slurry following fierce criticism from farming interests.
At a time when taxpayers are being asked to fund anti-pollution measures costing billions of euro in upgrading local authority waste water and sewage treatment works, it would be a travesty if agriculture - the main source of drinking water contamination - was allowed to avoid its responsibilities. Teagasc is now expected to send a revised scientific report to the Minister for Agriculture. And the Minister for the Environment is then likely to make representations to the EU Commission seeking changes in the nitrogen and phosphorus limits proposed by the Government only last year.
It is an extraordinary situation. And it shows the power of the farming lobby. The Environment Protection Agency has been given responsibility for monitoring water quality and for protecting and improving the natural environment. But it has no function in reviewing or enforcing the anti-pollution measures now being considered in relation to agriculture. And any future involvement by the EPA will take place under a separate, EU Water Framework Directive.
Those farmers whose livelihoods will be affected by the nitrates directive deserve sympathy and some State aid. But they have known for years that strict anti-pollution measures were on the way. And while they may complain about the quality of professional advice received in relation to Rural Environmental Protection Scheme (Reps), they will be grant-aided by the State in building extra slurry storage facilities. Research is also being undertaken by the Department of Agriculture to deal with pig and poultry manure and enforcement deadlines have been delayed until 2008 for large producers.
Some 20 per cent of groundwater in this State has nitrate concentrations in excess of EU drinking water guidelines. And more than one-quarter of our lakes and rivers are excessively enriched. In spite of the widespread bacteriological contamination of groundwater, however, the Government appears to be yielding to farming pressure. Last month, the IFA president, Pádraig Walshe, threatened a boycott of Teagasc because of the scientific advice it had provided. And two weeks ago, the IFA withdrew in protest from social partnership talks.
The revised scientific advice being prepared by Teagasc is believed to permit more intensive slurry spreading, as well as increased animal stocking. At a time when drinking-water quality has been seriously compromised and the EPA reports that improvements achieved in the 1990s have not been sustained, farmers should not be allowed to dictate the pace of change. The Government must protect the interests of the public at large.