THE Department of the Environment has argued that farm output will not fall despite its policy to achieve a 50 per cent reduction of artificial phosphorus levels over the next five years. The reduction is outlined in the Department's Sustainable Development Plan.
Its primary recommendation in agriculture, that the Government extend environmental "cross compliance" as a standard consideration in giving agricultural supports, may create some difficulties for farmers. Cross compliance applies checks to ensure EU or State grants cannot be given unless there is compliance with the Department's regulations.
According to the plan, the Department of Agriculture will produce comprehensive guidance on agricultural practices to protect air, water, soil and ecosystems and underpin sustainable agriculture.
Nutrient management planning will be promoted on a mandatory basis by local authorities where agriculture is identified as a significant contributor to eutrophication of rivers and lakes.
Emphasis will be placed on such planning on individual farms and in water catchments and regional areas. Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licensing will be phased in from 1998 for existing intensive agriculture activities.
However, this licensing system will apply only to pig and poultry operations. But it was hinted that dairying and other systems may be included in a review of the legislation due next year.
Other elements included or sought as part of the strategy are:
. A system of environmental management of farming in Natural Heritage Areas to be elaborated between the various departments, planning agencies and farm organisations.
. An extension of the Rural Environment Protection Scheme in over grazed areas from five to 15 years and a 30 per cent uptake by farmers in REPS by 1999.
. A review of the regulatory thresholds for environmental impact assessment of drainage works during 1997.
. More controls in the food processing area for genetically modified organisms, novel foods and tougher labelling provisions.
In the forestry sector the objectives include:
. A provision that planning permission and an Environment Impact Assessment be required for cumulative afforestation which results in a total area planted exceeding 70 hectares.
New legal powers making planning permission a requirement for plantations which would not warrant EIA.
. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry will implement a strategic plan for the forestry sector to take account of sustainable development requirements.
The objectives in the marine area include:
. Support for further measures to reduce the catching of juvenile fish.
. The making of an inventory of chemical munition dump sites around the coast.
. Further pressure for tighter controls on the shipment of nuclear material and to have the existing Code of Safe Carriage of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel made mandatory.
. A new salmon management strategy and a framework strategy for the marine sector.
. A prohibition against locating new waste landfills near coasts or estuaries.