Kerry Dairy Ireland CEO Calls for Stricter Measures on Non-Compliant Farmers to Protect Water Quality
Source: The DairyNews
The chief executive of Kerry Dairy Ireland, Pat Murphy, has emphasized the need for the dairy industry to adopt stricter measures against non-compliant farmers who are affecting water quality. This comes in the wake of a report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicating no significant improvements in water quality for 2023.
Murphy acknowledged the efforts of processors and dairy farmers but stressed that more actions are necessary. The EPA’s "Water Quality in 2023" report identifies nutrient pollution from farming and urban wastewater as a major challenge.
Speaking to Agriland.ie, Murphy described the report as "not great reading" and highlighted the increasing pressure on farmers regarding water quality management. “Farmers will have to get it right at farm level because if we don’t, the consequences are catastrophic for the industry, for the business, for the farmers. I think everyone at this stage is aware,” he said.
Murphy pointed out the impact of non-compliance by a minority of farmers: “If one farmer doesn’t do what the rest of the 49 people are doing, one rogue is enough to destroy the quality of water in the river. We have to get more firm with farmers that aren’t doing enough at farm level with their washings in milking parlours or with slurry storage."
During the official launch of the expanded Cheestrings facility in Charleville, Co. Cork, Murphy urged the government to ensure every effort is made to retain Ireland’s nitrates derogation. “The social and economic implications of derogation loss for all stakeholders in our industry is too grave to imagine,” he said.
Speaking to Agriland.ie, Murphy described the report as "not great reading" and highlighted the increasing pressure on farmers regarding water quality management. “Farmers will have to get it right at farm level because if we don’t, the consequences are catastrophic for the industry, for the business, for the farmers. I think everyone at this stage is aware,” he said.
Murphy pointed out the impact of non-compliance by a minority of farmers: “If one farmer doesn’t do what the rest of the 49 people are doing, one rogue is enough to destroy the quality of water in the river. We have to get more firm with farmers that aren’t doing enough at farm level with their washings in milking parlours or with slurry storage."
During the official launch of the expanded Cheestrings facility in Charleville, Co. Cork, Murphy urged the government to ensure every effort is made to retain Ireland’s nitrates derogation. “The social and economic implications of derogation loss for all stakeholders in our industry is too grave to imagine,” he said.
