New library of farming: An extensive archive of farming life was officially opened at the Museum of Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo on Thursday.
The Irish Farmers Association Millennium Library contains more than 3,000 books, 1,200 journals, 35,000 images, 1,000 prints and 600 boxes of paper resources. Speaking at the launch, IFA president John Dillon said in the years ahead the library would be a national asset for thousands of people interested in the countryside. The National Millennium Committee said of the project's suitability to funding: "The landscape of Ireland has been shaped and moulded by Irish farmers over the past 2,000 years. In turn, the land has moulded the mindset and character of the Irish people in ways beyond imagining." The library, which will be open to researchers from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. and 2.15 p.m. to 4.45 p.m., is the last project to be funded by the National Millennium Committee. For more details, tel: 094 9031773 or email: tpark@museum.ie
EU water-quality criticism
Two-thirds of all European countries are failing to keep their lakes, rivers and seas clean despite EU legislation demanding nations to clean up their waterways by 2015. Conservation efforts also fall short in 70 per cent of European governments, according to a new report on water management by the World Wide Fund for Nature. "Water is treated like an infinite resource, yet dams, dykes and irrigation projects in Italy, Greece and Spain are causing poor quality water in 60 per cent of the Mediterranean waters and the desertification of half of Spain.
The report also cited Ireland among the countries where there is lack of public interest in improving water supplies and quality.
Cleaner cleaning
A hospital in Connecticut, USA has turned to "green" cleaning products. The move away from traditional cleaning products is part of an effort to provide more employee and patient-friendly environments in Greenwich Hospital. "Traditional products contain chemicals which are highly effective but are often accompanied by a sharp smell that can cause everything from eye and nose irritations to respiratory problems," the hospital's manager of environmental services said.
Using green products is a growing trend in the health-care industry, according to Hospitals for a Healthy Environment, a voluntary organisation based in Washington D.C. The green products are non-toxic and water soluble so they don't leave a strong smell or residue.
Minks on the rampage
While your minds may be focused on finding the right bird to roast on Christmas day, the wardens of Roe Valley Country Park in Limavady, Co Derry, are searching for the right birds for their ponds. All but three of the 30 pure-bred Kaaki Camble ducks resident in the park were killed recently by a mink. The wardens have since bought some replacement ducks of mixed breeds . Meanwhile, salmon-baited traps have been laid to catch any more wandering minks.
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