Environment

Creed says current climate credentials of agri sector 'not sufficient' 

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed has said the agri sector will need to do more in its response to climate change.

Christmas trees hit hard by drought as up to a third feared lost 

Christmas tree growers fear that the recent drought has decimated about 30pc of this year's crop.

Gene-editing startups ignite the next 'Frankenfood' fight 

In a suburban Minneapolis laboratory, a tiny company that has never turned a profit is poised to beat the world's biggest agriculture firms to market with the next potential breakthrough in genetic...

First trial alleging Monsanto's Roundup causes cancer goes to jury 

A trial in which a school groundskeeper alleged that his use of Monsanto's Roundup weed killer caused his terminal cancer will go to a California jury after lawyers for both sides delivered their closing...

Gardaí appeal for information after two adult falcons killed while trying to incubate eggs 

The National Parks and Wildlife Service in Co Louth are seeking the public’s help in relation to the unlawful killing of two Peregrine Falcons.

How forestry can keep you in farming 

Last year was a difficult year for farming. This year is even more challenging. As I am writing this, drought conditions are putting farmers under severe pressure. The last thing on your mind is making...

Three-year project to manage deer population in Wicklow announced 

A three-year plan to manage the deer population in Wicklow has been approved by the Department of Agriculture, along with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaelteacht.

Scheme paves the way for Cork solar farms 

The head of the Cork-based company planning to build a dozen solar farms across the county, including seven across the north and mid-Cork regions, has said he anticipated the first would-...

It's official: July was an 'absolute drought' for most 

The heatwave and drought conditions experienced across most of the country have been made official by Met Éireann statistics for July.

Analysis: Extreme weather puts spotlight on viability of high-production farming model 

The latest Met Office forecasts suggest drought conditions will continue, exacerbating the fodder shortage.

Contractors digging deep as demand for wells soars 

Contractors are digging as deep as 300ft and 400ft to source water for farmers as the demand for second wells escalates in some of the bigger farms around Ireland.

Hen harrier shows signs of a comeback in Cork 

Hen Harriers are one of the country's threatened birds of prey, and among the least-known aspects of their ecology, where they go once they leave the breeding grounds, how many survive their...

Ireland 'completely' off course to achieve climate change targets 

Ireland is completely off course to achieve its 2020 and 2030 climate change targets, according to the Climate Change Advisory Council’s Annual Review 2018.

Department to accept written requests for GLAS fallow land derogation from farmers in 'exceptional' fodder difficulties 

Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has announced that the Department will accept...

Interested in alternative energy sources on your farm? 

Next month Teagasc will host an open day on renewable energy on farms at Gurteen College, Tipperary.

River levels at 'record lows' amid search for new sources of water 

Irish Water is seeking new sources of drinking water for at-risk communities as river levels reach record lows.

'Drought must not be used as an excuse to justify costly Shannon pipeline' 

Irish Water has been called on not to use the current dry weather as an excuse to force a pipeline across Irish farmland.

Large fish kill on Tipperary river likely caused by pesticides or herbicides - Inland Fisheries Ireland 

Inland Fisheries Ireland has confirmed that a large fill kill occurred on the Ollatrim River, a tributary of the Nenagh River, Co. Tipperary last week.

What lies beneath: Protected habitats under pressure 

Ireland is famed worldwide for its rugged and seemingly untouched landscape.

Native bees being wiped out by pesticides 

Farmers could unknowingly be killing tens of thousands of bees by spraying pesticides, according to the Federation of Irish Beekeepers' Associations (FIBA).

Ireland at risk of becoming a drought 'hotspot' warn climate change experts 

Ireland is liable to become a high-temperature hotspot over the next number of years and droughts may become more common, says Dr Conor...

Night-time water cut-offs to affect Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and parts of Meath next week 

Water restrictions will be introduced across Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow and parts of Meath next week.

Base CAP payments on achieving green targets rather than carbon tax - Ag Committee 

New measures should be introduced to incentivise the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the pursuit of more efficient processes on farms,...

New laws could see planning permission required for forestry development 

A new bill introduced to the Dail this week could require planning permission to be obtained for new forestry developments.

New water charges system in the pipeline 

A complete revision of the charges which farmers pay for public water supplies is being planned, with a new scale of fees to come into effect next year.

New fund to support the recycling of farmers' waste tyres 

Environment Minister Denis Naughten is to provide €700,000 funding for a number of bring centres across the country to support the recycling of waste tyres, which are typically used to anchor...

Residents to protest against new €320m runway at Dublin Airport 

A group of residents are to protest against plans to develop the  €320m runway at Dublin Airport during an information meeting in St Margarets GAA club tomorrow.

The Heritage Bill was a 'trivial waste of taxpayers money that won't do farmers any favours' says leading dairy farmer 

The newly passed Heritage Bill won’t do farmers any favours, a dairy farmer has warned.

Extended badger culls face High Court challenge by ecologist 

An ecologist bringing a High Court challenge against extended badger culls claims they risk making the bovine TB epidemic worse.

Drought leaves blaze threat at dangerous levels across State 

Tinder-dry conditions will continue for the remainder of the week as the heatwave shows no signs of abating, according to Met Éireann.

Forestry fund a threat to farmers - SF 

SINN Féin MEP Matt Carthy has called for full transparency on the workings of a private forestry fund which he claims is having a negative impact on Irish farmers.

Massive fire destroys hundreds of acres of forestry on the Slievebloom Mountains 

A MASSIVE fire on Slievebloom Mountains has already destroyed hundreds of hectares of forestry and caused millions of euro worth of damage, the...

Origin Green brand under threat from carbon emissions - Green Party 

Trading under the Origin Green brand may not be possible in the future if Irish agriculture doesn’t step up its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, leader of the Green Party Eamon Ryan has claimed.

Farming family forced to dig to get water for cattle to drink 

With no rain coming from above, a Co Down farming family have had to go underground to keep their animals watered.

'Rural road safety demands passage of new hedgecutting rules': Divisive Heritage bill returns to Dail 

The controversial Heritage Bill was back in the Dail for debate this week with key elements of the new legislation continuing to be divisive.

Extreme fire warning extended: Authorities say 'strong correlation' between fire activity and illegal dumping 

Arising from current prolonged high pressure weather patterns, high temperatures and...

Leitrim and Cork dominate forestry stakes, new figures show 

New figures about the national forest estate show that the national forest estate is expanding and has now reached 11pc of the total land area.

Decision for Bord na Mona wind farm now on fast track 

A planned €100m wind farm by Bord na Móna and its Powergen subsidiary in south Longford has been designated a strategic infrastructure development by An Bord Pleanála, paving the way for a rapid...

Probe into poultry link to botulism - Up to 30 cattle dead in suspected cases 

The use of poultry litter on farms in Meath and Kildare is being checked to establish whether the correct procedures were followed when...

Rare 'Condition RED' extreme forest fire warning issued as heatwave continues 

The Department of Agriculture has issued a Condition RED warning for fires due to current dry conditions and forecast high temperatures.

Forest fire warning put in place as fire brigade battles nine-day fire 

The Department of Agriculture has issued an Orange warning for fires due to current dry conditions and forecast high temperatures.

Analysis: Financial incentives needed to make climate change aspirations a reality 

Last week Teagasc published an updated version of its Marginal Abatement Cost (MAC), showing the scale of possible greenhouse gas (GHG)...

Multi-million planning applications made for solar farm on lands that are currently being used for agriculture 

Planning applications have been made for two multi-million solar farms in Co Longford.

'Cow numbers may be limited if agriculture doesn't step up its efforts to meet climate targets' 

The Government could be forced to restrict farming expansion if Ireland is to avoid massive EU fines for not meeting its targets on emissions reduction.

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.

Appeal to farmers over water pollution after major fish kill 

Inland Fisheries Ireland has again issued an appeal to farmers to remain vigilant during the summer months when harvesting silage and spreading slurry to avoid water pollution and the loss of...

Dairy expansion and fertiliser usage set to drive agri emissions up 9pc 

Agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are projected to increase by 9pc by 2030, relative to the 2005 baseline, unless action is taken, according to a new report from Teagasc.

Country split down middle with sun on east coast but rain and thunder in west 

While the west of the country braces itself for torrential rain and thunderstorms, the east basks in sunshine.

'Farmers must be extremely careful' - Investigation under way after major fish kill in Mayo 

Inland Fisheries Ireland is calling on the agricultural sector to be “extremely careful” in current hot weather after a major fish kill in Mayo.

China's love affair with oak a mixed blessing for France 

Times are good for oak tree growers in France.

Opinion: An ecological menace that's out of control at a park near you 

History offers plenty of examples of subjects that we once regarded as blessings being subsequently revealed as curses.