Sir, I read with interest the letter from Aidan Larkin of September 27th, concerning intensive pig farming and the environment. Mr Larkin stated that the Irish Farmers' Association had no objection to licensing of intensive pig units yet, according to the Irish Farmers Journal of August 17th, the IFA "is seeking a ten year lead in period (my italics) for the licensing of existing intensive units." This can hardly be interpreted as anything other than a strong resistance on the part of the farmers' organisation to EPA licencing.
Mr Larkin goes on to express shock at the cost of a licence for a "family run firm unit of 100 saws". He fails to address the issue of 38,000 unit piggeries and over, as referred to in the letter from Ballyglasson Environmental Action Group to which he was replying. He goes on to say that there were only 175 fish kills caused by intensive agriculture in the period to 1994. Is this meant to reassure or infuriate us?
I commend the farming organisations in the positive steps they have taken, such as promotion of the Code of Good Agricultural Practice. The issue of intensive pig production and its impact on the environment, however, seriously damages the good name of all farmers, the vast majority of whom are exemplary in their care of the land and the environment. Yours, etc., Carrickboy, Co Longford.