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Environment
More efforts needed to reduce foodbourne illnesses, as downward trend stops
The downward trend of foodbourne illnesses has stalled, according to a new European report, and more must be done to push the figures down it says.
Emissions from agriculture increase by almost 3pc in 2017 due to dairy expansion
Greenhouse gas emissions figures released today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that Ireland’s emissions decreased slightly in 2017.
UN chief urges leaders to inject momentum at 2019 climate summit
The UN secretary-general on Tuesday urged world leaders to use a climate change summit he will host in 2019 to explain how they plan to ratchet up their efforts to reverse worsening global...
'Reckless': Local farmers' group criticise decision to give Limerick's Aughinish Alumina go-ahead for rock blasting
AN Bord Pleanala has given the go-ahead to Aughinish Alumina to begin blasting and...
Alan Matthews: 'How to move from our current land use structure to one that is compatible with our climate targets'
There has been a dramatic ramping up of interest in climate policy in the past two months. At the...
Agriculture and septic tanks source of dangerous E.coli found in 40pc of water sites
More than 40pc of groundwater sources that provide drinking water for two million people are contaminated with the dangerous bug E.coli,...
Major project in Cork will see on-farm anaerobic digestion plants heat homes and fuel lorries
Gas Networks Ireland has confirmed that a project to inject large volumes of renewable gas onto the natural gas network, has been shortlisted for...
Live Ireland can expect widespread rain and gales to hit ahead of the tail-end of Storm Diana this coming weekend
Ireland can expect widespread rain and gales to hit ahead of the tail-end of Storm Diana this coming weekend.
Farming under threat as soil fertility falls 40pc in 10 years
Ireland's fields have suffered a 40pc drop in fertility in just a decade, sparking concerns for the future of our world-renowned farming industry.
Darragh McCullough: 'I contribute to global warming every single day - and I'm feeling the heat'
As a farmer, I'm beginning to feel more like an environmental terrorist than a food producer.
Leitrim and the gigantic forest debate
Key findings in the third National Forest Inventory completed in 2017 show that Leitrim is the county with the highest percentage of forest cover (18.9pc). A total of 536ha was planted by...
Greenhouse Gas levels in atmosphere reach new record highs
Greenhouse gas levels have reached new record highs, prompting experts to warn "the window of opportunity for action is almost closed" to tackle climate change.
Temperatures to take a dip as this week promises a 'colder regime'
It's a move away from the milder weather of recent times as temperatures are set to take a dip.
Living with Ash Dieback: Scientists concede eradication of disease wreaking havoc on our ash trees no longer feasible
Ireland must learn to live with the fungal diease which has wreaked havoc on ash plantations...
IFA seeks Government support to re-examine calculation of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture
In a new climate change submission to the Government, the Irish Farmers Association has sought a re-examination of the calculation of...
Irish agriculture is not doing enough on climate change - Green Party Leader
Members of the Oireachtais Climate Action committee have hit out at the Department of Agriculture for “not being ambitious enough”...
'Negativity around forestry needs to stop if we want to reach climate targets'- Department
Negative commentary on forestry needs to come to an end if we want to reach climate targets, Secretary General at the Department of...
Government announces roll-out of free assistance for 5,000 farmers to achieve better environmental outcomes
The Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed announced the roll-out of an innovative...
Forestry planting back nationally but Leitrim still home to most new trees
New forestry figures show that in 2017 there was over 5,536ha around the country planted with forestry, down from the 6,293ha planted in 2015.
Key data on Nitrates and Phosphorus now available online
The Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine has announced that interim Nitrogen and Phosphorus statements for the period January to September 2018 and are now available online at agfood.ie
Mayo farm wins the first National Farming for Nature Award
The Calvey Family from Keel, Co.Mayo are the inaugural winners of the National Farming for Nature Award 2018.
Planting native woodlands on all farms, including dairy is a critical priority - Teagasc
Sustainable forestry expansion, including native woodlands on dairy and other farms, is a critical priority for Ireland to help achieve its climate...
'The new CAP has greater ambitions for climate action and environmental care including water'
The new CAP has greater ambitions for climate action and environmental care including water, according to Gerard Shortle, DG Environment,...
Greenpeace backed German farmers sue government for not tackling climate change fast enough
Environmental activists Greenpeace have teamed up with three families to sue the German government with the aim of forcing it to meet climate...
New treatments cut N losses from slurry by 97pc
Nitrogen losses from slurry during storage were reduced by 97pc through treatment with ferric chloride, in trials carried out at Teagasc Johnstown Castle.
CAP future must include bioeconomy strategy - Hogan
Europe needs a strong bioeconomy as part of the 21st century rejuvenation of our rural areas, according to the EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan.
Mary Robinson stands by veganism call despite local council backlash
Former president of Ireland Mary Robinson is standing firm on her call for people to go vegan to tackle climate change, despite a backlash which saw her local council ask her to withdraw the...
Global warming 'will double the price of beer' as climate change hits barley yields
Climate change will cause "dramatic" price spikes in beer with Ireland particularly affected, new research has found.
Five agri-food companies named by EPA for failing to meet environmental standards
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published the latest National Priority Sites List for Enforcement and named five agri-food...
Rate of badger culling to reduce to less than 1,000 per year
There will be a significant reduction in the levels of badger culling, the Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed indicated in the Dail this week.
Hiving off CAP supports could help save the bees
A hive of bees should be viewed as a single livestock unit for the purposes of CAP, the INHFA has proposed.
Is blanket planting the way to achieve national forestry targets?
Ireland has just 560,000ha under forestry, or 11pc of land area, a figure far below the EU average and our national target, a recent panel discussion on the topic heard.
Farmers told to plant more forestry to help achieve renewable energy targets
Farmers need to plant more forestry the President of the Irish Bioenergy Association has said.
Pesticides levels in water supplies in four areas of the country above EU standards - Irish Water
Four water supplies, one in Kilkenny, two in Limerick and one in Longford currently have a level of pesticides above the set EU standard,...
450 farmers brave 2.5km tailbacks to recycle old tyres
Farmers faced tailbacks of over 2km on Saturday, when the first of four bring centres opened to allow them recycle old tyres.
Seaweed diet could save planet from cows' flatulence
A seaweed diet could mean cow flatulence stinks a little less for the future of the Earth, according to a US aquaculture company.
Coillte announces new ‘BioClass’ system to protect biodiversity in Irish forests
Coillte, Ireland’s largest commercial forestry and land solutions company, has launched a new classification system that will allow for...
Decision to refuse planning for 377ac Solar farm appealed
THE company hoping to erect a 377 acre solar farm in Foulksmills have appealed a decision by Wexford County Council to refuse the development to An Bord Pleanala.
Information events for neighbourhood woodland amenities - grants of €9,000/ha available
A series of nationwide events have been announced to promote the Department of Agriculture's NeighbourWood Scheme, which has grants of up...
New €1m project announced to support ‘smarter’ farm practices
Geological Survey Ireland and Teagasc have announced a €1m research project that aims to provide agri-environmental soil data for Ireland’s agricultural sector.
Farmers encouraged to recycle used tyres at new bring centres
The Government is making €700,000 available to remove stockpiles of tyres from farms.
Bronagh, Deirdre and Saoirse: meet the storms blowing our way this winter
Ali will be the first storm to blow in across Ireland and Britain this winter, the new list of names for this year's strongest weather systems shows.
EU Auditors hit out at ‘very slow progress’ on reducing air pollutants from agriculture
EU action to protect human health from air pollution has not delivered its expected impact, according to a new report from the European...
Ecology schemes are giving farmers a lifeline
Income derived from agri-environmental schemes is a lifeline that keeps farmers farming, says NPWS Head of Agri-Ecology Barry O’Donoghue.
Hedgehogs face up to 'perfect storm' as they flee countryside
Hedgehogs are disappearing from the countryside because they are being devoured by badgers, a study has found.
How farmers can capitalise on fast-growing willow and eucalyptus
The recent Energy in Agriculture event at Gurteen College, Co Tipperary, highlighted energy crop options for farmers and in this article, I will focus on how farmers can benefit from growing...
Season in the sun - hot spells make it a summer for record books
The summer of 2018 will go down as one of the hottest and driest summers on record as weather conditions not seen for more than two decades were recorded across the country.
Tackling climate change should be 'rural-proofed', committee hears
Any measures to reverse failures to reach climate change targets should consider “rural-proofing” an Oireachtas committee has heard.
Environmental Group calls for halt to extraction of peat for animal bedding
Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, has been asked to exercise his powers under the legislation to stop Teagasc, promoting the use of deep...
Farmers and villagers hit out at plans to hunt for gold in beauty spot
A plan to search for precious metals including gold in the hills of Mid-Ulster is angering locals.
Why willow could be an alternative fuel source that’s also good for the environment
Willow can produce large quantities of renewable 'green' energy without harming the environment, according to Barry Caslin, Teagasc Bioenergy...
