FARMERS in the West of Ireland are more than willing to play their part in tackling the issue of climate change but due recognition must be given to their ongoing progress in reducing emissions, Connacht IFA Chair Pat Murphy said this week.

His comments come in the wake of the latest report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – released this week – which has warned that climate change is ‘widespread, rapid and intensifying’.

“We all have to face up to the climate change issue – it cannot be ignored – but as a country Ireland is in a position to produce food in a very, very environmentally friendly way,” said Pat Murphy.

He added that over recent months the role that Irish farms played in acting as carbon sinks was at last being recognised by different organisations.

“We are ready and willing to play our parts in a food production chain that’s environmentally friendly and sustainable.

“But as farmers we will need the support, back-up and recognition of central Government in our ongoing efforts to play our part in this,” said Pat Murphy.

Earlier this week, IFA President Tim Cullinan said that Irish farmers can be a big part of climate action by using ‘our natural advantage to produce carbon efficient foods’ and also in the production of renewable energy on farms.

He said the recent change to the Climate Bill, which recognised the carbon storage capabilities of Irish farms, was an important acknowledgement that farmers can contribute towards making Ireland net carbon zero by 2050.

Read full coverage in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now – or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie

JULY turned out to be a pretty much ideal month for farming with up to 25 dry days in places while the bulk of the rainfall was ‘delivered’ in two downpours over one weekend.

Abbeyknockmoy weather recorder, Brendan Geraghty, said that his rainfall total for the month of 2.95 inches (75mms.) was below the average for July – but this told only half the story.

Significant rainfall occurred only on six days during our seventh month with two big downpours on the evening of Friday the 19th – and through the day on the following Sunday, the 21st.

“I suppose overall July would have to be regarded as an excellent month as indeed was the Summer overall.

“We tended to get the rainfall in concentrated bursts but we had a lot of fine and pleasant days during the month that enabled farmers to get a lot of work done,” said Brendan Geraghty.

For full story see this week’s Connacht Tribune.

PLANNING permission has been refused for the extraction of stone and gravel from a parcel of land in the Athenry area for use as fill material for the Gort to Tuam motorway which is currently under construction.

It had been proposed to extract materials from an overgrown three acre site that would be returned to agricultural grassland upon the completion of the works – however, this has been stopped in its tracks because a bat survey was not carried out.

The developer John Sisk had applied for planning permission to extract stone and gravel from the agricultural land at Greethill, Athenry – the lands are located around three miles from the town. The possible presence of bats was one of the reasons why planning was refused.

Planning permission was refused by Galway County Council and then became the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanala who affirmed the decision of county planners on the basis that it would have an adverse impact on a neighbouring Special Area of Conservation.

The applicant had intended using the agricultural land as ‘a borrow pit’ for the extraction of stone and gravel which would be used as fill for the Gort to Tuam motorway.

It was the intention to extract materials to a depth of four and a half yards. The land would be remediated and returned to agricultural grassland upon completion of the works. But this was not allowed to proceed.

According to the planning file, the site in question is not directly accessible from the public road. It is currently overgrown with dense patches of hedgerow, some trees and a dirt track. There are also some sections of stone wall but it is not being used for agricultural purposes.

It is stated that the extraction site is within 300 metres of a flood risk area as well as being in the vicinity of the Slieve Aughty Mountains Special Protection Area – it is also close to a Special Area of Conservation.

The site adjoins woodland where bats may be present. An Bord Pleanala took issue with the fact that a bat survey after dusk was not carried out by the applicants.

The Planning Appeals Board also considered that this three acres of land was a valuable area for roosting and nesting and also had an issue with the fact that a dedicated bird survey was not carried out.

There were no objections to the planning application but An Bord Pleanala felt that as the proposed development involved extraction, disturbance to birds and mammals was possible.

“Given the size, scale and nature of the proposed development, potential impact on groundwater and flood risk have not been satisfactorily addressed,” it was stated in the ruling.

Agents acting on behalf of John Sisk argued that there were no bird habitats found on the site and that there was no threat to any species as a result of the works that would be carried out. However, planning was refused.