Climate and environment
The letters issued to farmers who had been compliant with stocking rate limits over recent years.
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The water quality measures in play for farmers have been estimated by the EPA to bring between 17% and 56% of waterways impacted by agriculture within quality targets by 2027.
Lower autumn grass growth in the south-east could increase the risk of fodder crises developing, a team of UCC researchers have suggested.
Director of Teagasc professor Frank O’Mara said the effect of climate change is already evident on Irish farms.
Teagasc’s professor Michael O’Donovan said since 2018 higher levels of concentrates have been recorded by users of Pasture Base Ireland.
Simon Harris was responding to a question from Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice in relation to negative attitudes towards farmers around water quality.
Last year, a fall in emissions brought Ireland closer to achieving its first carbon budget.
The independent advisory committee - the membership of which has not yet been finalised - will include a chair and representatives from key sectors.
Over half of licensed treatment plants discharge wastewater that does not always meet the standards set in wastewater discharge licences to protect the environment, an EPA found last week.
The Footprint Farmers programme has given Laois farmer Andrew Mulhare the encouragement to adopt sustainable methods and invest in labour-saving technology for his suckler cows, writes Kelsey Daly.
