Focus on tackling impact of fertilisers on farms welcomed by Mayo senator

A Mayo Oireachtas member has welcomed government moves to tackle the impact of farm fertiliser causing a negative impact on the environment.

Senator Lisa Chambers said it is important to acknowledge that the agriculture sector accounts for 35% emissions in the State, based on 2019 figures.

She stated: "Clearly it is an area where we must do some work.

"We can do that by working with farmers and communities. I am happy to see there will be a specific focus on tackling fertilisers.

"The type of fertiliser used is having a negative impact on some parts of our environment.

"I draw attention to Lough Carra in Mayo.

" It is quite a rare lake in its composition. It is one of the very few remaining in Europe.

"The lake featured in the "Eco Eye" series some weeks ago. I grew up near this lake and we all swam in it as children.

"One would not swim in it today. Over the last two decades since I was a child, I have seen the continued deterioration in that lake because of increased intensity of farming around the area.

"Farmers need to be supported to make those changes so we can protect really important environmental sites.

"It is my strong view that this particular lake should have the same environmental protections as the Burren because it is that rare and that precious, and it has been damaged over the past decades.

"This is just one example of the many reasons we need to make changes for future generations."