We need to accept that food production comes with level of nitrate water pollution – Teagasc
Farmers must be financially incentivised to prioritise water quality and continue practices such as tillage in areas which aren’t having a negative impact. Photo: Roger Jones.
There is a need to accept that food production which underpins rural incomes comes with a level of nitrate pollution of water, Teagasc has said.
Speaking at the Teagasc Malting Barley Conference in Wexford on Tuesday, nitrates expert Eddie Burgess said that tillage farmers are unlikely to face new chemical nitrogen application limits, but may have to adhere to new rules around the timing of application.