Farmers urged to be vigilant over effluent

THE Irish Farmers' Association last night advised farmers to exercise what it called "total vigilance" when handling silage effluent…

THE Irish Farmers' Association last night advised farmers to exercise what it called "total vigilance" when handling silage effluent and animal slurry.

"A number of incidents in the Cork area in recent days have highlighted the serious risk to water quality and fish life posed by the mishandling of silage effluent, animal slurry and yard washings," said the statement from the IFA's national environment committee chairman, Mr Aidan Larkin.

"Under no circumstances must these substances enter water courses," the statement said.

Mr Larkin said he was dismayed and disappointed at the recent incidents in the Cork area and added: "IFA holds no brief for the deliberate and careless polluter."

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However, he said that certain comments reported from the South Western Regional Fisheries Board did a grave injustice to the tens of thousands of Irish farmers who had invested millions in the environment and conducted their activities in a responsible manner and to the highest environmental standards.

Meanwhile, the Irish Fishermen's Organisation said double standards were being applied to offenders who caused pollution and fish kills in rivers and lakes.

"In our view the relevant public authorities are afraid to tackle this enormous problem and the courts seem not to understand the gravity of the offences involved," said Mr Frank Doyle, secretary general of the IFO.

He contrasted the lack of attention paid by the authorities to polluters with the attitude of the same authorities to drift net fishermen.

"Experience has shown that practically all efforts have been directed at drift net fishermen, who have been systematically demolished by the authorities, whilst little or no action has been taken in eradicating really serious offences in other areas.

Mr Doyle said it was not acceptable that fishermen should be singled out for savage penalties and loss of livelihood while those who destroyed entire stretches of river and in some cases entire rivers were treated with remarkable leniency.