New Opportunity to Find More Acceptable Phosphorous Limits
25 January 2006
The Teagasc Authority has welcomed the opportunity provided by the Minister for Agriculture and Food to present her with further scientific information, in order to explore the possibility of arriving at more acceptable phosphorous limits. This will be carried out as a matter of urgency.
Some vital elements of the advice provided by Teagasc on the Nitrates Directive were not fully included in the final statutory instrument, the Teagasc Authority has been told.
Had this happened, it would have allowed pig farmers access to more grassland farms as an outlet for pig slurry. It also would have allowed for more flexibility for farmers with less intensive systems of production.
The advice mainly focused on how soil fertility indices and rates of nitrogen and phosphorus use might be applied in the Irish context.
Teagasc's advice emphasised the unique nature of Irish farming enterprises and the need to ensure that the legal maximum amounts of nutrients would facilitate good commercial farming in an environmentally-friendly manner.
The Teagasc Authority, at its meeting yesterday, January 24th, 2006, sought and received an in-depth briefing on the scientific information provided by Teagasc prior to the finalisation of the statutory instrument which implemented the EU Nitrates Directive.
Teagasc fully recognises the concern that farmers have in relation to the Nitrates Directive as it is incorporating into law many aspects of farming that, up to now, were part of the code of good farming practice. Pig and poultry farmers have particular concerns in relation to the availability of land for spreading slurry.
Farmers with low stocking rates have concerns in relation to restrictions imposed by the nitrogen and phosphorus levels allowed. This concern mainly relates to animal health problems associated with phosphorus deficiency and inadequate feed supply due to the low nitrogen levels allowed.
The Authority recognises the recent difficulties that have arisen in terms of Teagasc's relationship with farming organisations and farmer stakeholders. Teagasc will be meeting with these stakeholders to discuss and resolve the various issues that have arisen.
The Authority decided that the National Tillage Conference which was to take place tomorrow Thursday, January 26th in Carlow should be postponed.
