PADDY MACKEY,
Sir, - If the Irish Farmers Association's attack on your editorial integrity (January 23rd) is indicative of the future attitude of the new guard in that organisation to our environment we can only fear the worst for Ireland's water quality. In a headlong rush to be seen to be protecting farmers' incomes at the expense of environmental protection it has lost sight of the fact that the two are inextricably linked.
Mr Fanning's attempts to enlist the Enviromental Protection Agency to support his arguments will be greeted with surprise by anyone with even a passing knowledge of the reports published by this body over recent years. Indeed, the latest EPA report "Water Quality in Ireland 1998 to 2000" points fairly and squarely at all sources of water pollution, including agriculture.
This comprehensive document concludes by setting out the real agenda on water quality very clearly - "Sustainability requires that the present generation hands on to the next precious resources such as viable salmon and trout populations in rivers and lakes. In so doing an improved aquatic environment will benefit everyone - for example, in terms of increased tourism revenues, improved angling, and amenity value and also improved sales of Irish milk and meat products taking advantage of a "green" commercial advantage. A deteriorating aquatic environment will drive away tourists and anglers, increase the cost of water treatment, depress agricultural sales and deprive the next generation of its birthright i.e. access to a high-quality Irish environment."
The IFA knows full well that farmers bear responsibility for a significant part of the water quality problems we are facing. The vital question to be answered is - are they really serious about being part of the solution? The majority of farmers are making a decent effort, but there is a small core that appear to ignore environmental protection. Those that are doing a good job have little time for those that are not. Does the IFA statement represent the majority or minority viewpoint? The journey towards real and lasting solutions will require a concerted effort by all sections of the community. Local authorities, industries and individual householders all must reassess their attitudes to water quality and take their responsibilities seriously. Farmers have a vital role to play in this community effort if they chose to take it. What is required now more than ever is real leadership, not the outdated macho politics which has underlined recent statements on the environment emanating from the Farm Centre.
It's time for us all to wake up and smell the slurry, we can no longer afford to stand by and allow our environmental heritage to be bartered away. When it comes to the environment we are all stakeholders. - Yours, etc.,
PADDY MACKEY,
Save Our Lough Derg,
Ballycommon,
Nenagh,
Co Tipperary.