Environment

Bord na Móna digging deep to re-wet thousands of acres of bog 

Machines that have been described as “defibrillators for bogs” are being deployed to revive some of Ireland’s oldest bogs.

Greenhouse gas levels set to rise as dairy expansion continues 

Ireland’s total greenhouse gas emissions will increase from current levels to 2020, underpinned by strong economic growth, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Peat companies appeal turf cutting exemption decision 

Two companies have asked the High Court for permission to appeal the rejection of their challenges to decisions of An Bord Pleanála that their activities are no longer exempt development.

Couple lose their challenge to wind farm being built near their home 

A couple have lost their legal challenge to An Bord Pleanála’s permission for construction of a wind farm near their home in Co Cork.

European Investment Bank backs first project to encourage Continuous Cover Forestry in Ireland 

New investment in sustainable forestry across Ireland will be supported by the latest operation under the Natural Capital Financing Facility.

Calls for illegal dumpers to be named and shamed 

Last week, the Sunday World launched a campaign to ‘Take out the Trash’ after six tonnes of illegal rubbish was discovered on the Wicklow border during a three-day period.

Farmers warned felling licences taking a year to process - IFA 

Forestry felling licenses are taking up to a year to process farmers are being warned by the IFA.

Major pollution incident sees 100,000 gallons of slurry released into Northern Ireland river 

An investigation has been launched after a major pollution incident in which 100,000 gallons of slurry inadvertently released into a Co Tyrone river.

Fire warning issued: 'Landowners found burning illegally could face fines, imprisonment and farm payment penalties' 

The Forest Service has issued a status orange fire warning with dry weather and high...

Bees are being 'driven to the edge': Beekeepers hit out at removal of hedgerows and ditches 

A third of Irish bee species are threatened with extinction with bumblebee populations falling year-on-year due to removal of hedgerows and...

Teagasc drive new water quality campaign 

Thirty sustainability advisors will start work with farmers next month as part of a major collaboration between Government and industry to improve water quality across the country.

CAP direct farm payments will be linked to EU climate change targets 

Farmers will be asked to do more to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions from livestock and fertiliser use in the upcoming overhaul of the Common Agricultural Policy.

Felling of 300-year-old trees halted in dispute between neighbours 

A judge has continued orders restraining further felling of trees on lands in Co Offaly amid allegations up to 300 trees in a heritage woodland where trees - some up to 300 years old - have...

Farmers remove access to walkers in protest at fire penalties 

Farmers have withdrawn access to several walkways on rural mountains in South East Sligo in protest at what they see as unfair penalties for last year's gorse fires.

Farmers responsible for bulk of gorse fires claims Coillte 

The majority of gorse fires are caused by farmers, Coillte risk manager Mick Power has claimed.

Six steps towards switching to Continuous Cover Forest 

Continuous Cover Forestry (or close-to-nature forestry) is the norm in Europe but the exception in Ireland.

Deer and rhododendron are the biggest challenges Irish native woodland plantations face 

Managing deer and rhododendron are the biggest challenges native woodland plantations face, a leading ecologist has warned.

More butterflies and flowers to be a 'key requirement' of new CAP 

The next CAP will be more results-based from an environmental perspective and will have to deliver quantifiable benefits on biodiversity and climate change.

A financial 'tipping point' is needed to persuade farmers to plant native trees - Greenbelt 

More cash incentives are needed to make planting native woodlands more attractive to landowners, according to Greenbelt CEO John O'Reilly.

Why continuous cover forestry could be your 'suckler beef' system with trees 

Continuous cover forestry provides regular income while rejuvenating forests and could be looked as like a suckler beef system but with trees.

Ireland to be bovine TB free by 2030 under new Government plans 

The Government has committed to eradicate bovine TB from the national herd by 2030, FarmIreland.ie can reveal.

Solar farm pledges €180,000 per year to rural community 

The Wexford developers behind a 390 acre solar farm planned for the Clongeen area have said a €180,000 annual payment will be made to the local community if the project goes ahead.

Wind farms boost tax base for local US governments 

Wind farms have boosted local tax bases and generated new revenue as they expand across the United States, especially for rural areas, Moody’s Investors Service said in a report this week.

'It is extremely worrying' - UK only realistic market for trees 

THE Irish timber industry has to make itself Brexit proof as diversifying into markets other than the UK is not a realistic option.

Illegal dumping of animals now posing disease risks 

FARMERS have been advised to seek help from their local District Veterinary Office (DVO) rather than resort to the illegal dumping of dead animals.

Teagasc urges farmers' reps to engage with water quality plan 

The River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021 is "farmers chance to get things right" and to avoid environmental quotas, say industry experts.

Forestry 'needed to offset agri emissions' 

A failure to increase forestry levels will constrain growth in the dairy and beef sectors, by making environmental emissions targets impossible to reach, the head of Coillte has warned.

EU nations back ban on insecticides to protect honey bees 

European Union countries backed a proposal on Friday to ban all use outdoors of insecticides known as neonicotinoids that studies have shown can harm bees.

State faces bill of over €150m for missing climate change targets 

Missing climate change and renewable energy targets will cost the State well in excess of €150m as emissions continue to rise.

New project to reward farmers with biodiversity habitat plans 

A new project in the Bride Valley in east Cork will reward participating farmers for wildlife on their farms.

Farmers urged to tackle climate change in battle for CAP funding 

Farmers must make themselves more "indispensable" towards tackling energy and climate change problems, with an uphill battle ahead in protecting the vital Common Agricultural Policy...

'Rangers and gardaí chased us off the bog' - turf cutters on tenterhooks ahead of possible ban 

Lots of us remember long summers of blistered hands and broken backs. The rest of us have internalised sepia postcards of small donkeys...

Doyle announces €17m in forestry payments issuing to farmers 

The latest payment of annual tax-free forestry premiums for 2018 amounting to €17.33 million has been announced.

Concern following another detection of pesticide in drinking water 

Pesticides have been detected in drinking water sources in Co. Longford.

'The forestry will be our pension pot' - Why this suckler farmer says planting trees will help ensure his survival 

For suckler farmer Andrew O'Carroll planting forestry was a route to ensuring his farm's survival.

Long-suffering farmers are set to suffer a little longer from the wind and rain though warm weather on the horizon 

Long-suffering Irish farmers are set to suffer a little longer from the wind and rain though hope - and...

Control of roaming deer is up to farmers - Department 

The Department of Culture and Heritage has this week said that they are not responsible for controlling red deer following calls from farmers in south Kerry last week for help.

Why the bee population has been hit by 'serious losses' since January 

Excessive use of insecticides and proposed changes to the laws regarding hedge cutting will cause further depletion of our declining bee population, bee expert Philip McCabe has warned.

Children of flood-affected farmers to get planning exemptions 

The children of farmers whose land is affected by flooding could soon have access to special planning exemptions under new proposals.

Amarenco gets Cork solar farm go-ahead despite opposition by some locals 

Irish solar firm Amarenco, headed by former Bord Gáis boss John Mullins, has been given the go-ahead by An Bord Pleanála for a 5MW solar farm in...

Retired farmer convicted after turning farmyard into a waste management site 

A load of rubbish led to convictions handed down at the District Court in Gorey for a retired farmer and a skip hire operator.

Call for major cull as deer causing havoc - Farmers and property owners say Killarney deer are ruining lands 

Farmers and landowners in Tomies, Beaufort and Fossa, in Killarney are calling for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to undertake a...

Experts warn Kiwi invader feasting on farming ecosystem could potentially cause damage costing millions of euro 

An invasive species of worm has arrived in Ireland and is feasting on a vitally important part of our...

'A forest fire means total write-off and every fire is caused by humans' 

Meet Mick Power, a man with one of the most striking job titles in the country. The 60 year old Kilkenny native serves as national risk manager for Coillte, the country's leading forestry company.

New research into better nutrient management of slurry 

The Nutrient Management Centre at the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Hillsborough, is currently being commissioned with a key goal to explore technologies which offer opportunities...

Opinion: Why I am on a mission to tell the story of our notable trees 

Help me, please!

Farmers will face increasing scrutiny on waste disposal 

Q I see it as my duty to ensure that my farmland is clear of plastic and waste that seems to be covering more and more of the countryside and I am frustrated that some farmers seem to be...

Making a splash: Why drilling your own water well can pay for itself within two years 

Water charges were introduced in Ireland back in January 2015, but as we know, they didn't last long. After countless protests and political...

Last 10 years have been wettest since records began more than 300 years ago 

THE years between 2006 to 2015 made up the wettest decade in more than 300 years, with average rainfall across the 10-year period almost...

Minister Creed appoints two new Directors to Board of Coillte 

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D., has announced the appointment of two new Directors to the Board of Coillte.

Ombudsman upholds forestry contractor case after farmer pulls out of contract 

The Ombudsman has ruled in favour of a forestry contractor in his case against the Forestry service over an unpaid premium.