Dairy farming emissions ‘significant’ – OECD
OECD: “Environmental legislation could have a strong impact on the future development of dairy production. GHG emissions from dairy activities make up a significant share of total emissions in some…
Ireland “failed” to protect its peat bogs – European Commission
The EU is taking Ireland to court for failing to sufficiently protect peat bogs. The European Commission says Ireland has failed to fulfil the requirements of the Habitats Directive “to…
Irish drinking water breaking EU law
The European Court of Justice has ruled that Ireland broke EU law by not sufficiently reducing levels of chemical compounds in drinking water. Under a directive dating back to 1998,…
Ireland’s greenhouse emissions increase most in EU
Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions have risen more than anywhere else in the EU, according to the latest comparable data. In the first quarter of this year, Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions…
EU approves Ireland’s forestry plan
Ireland’s plan to spend millions of Euro on new forests has been approved by the EU. The European Commission concluded that a €308 million scheme to support afforestation will lead…
Ireland far from pesticide targets
Ireland still has work to do to reduce the use of pesticides in lines with EU targets. By 2030, Ireland must reduce its pesticide use by 50 per cent compared…
EU proposes loosening GM crop rules
The European Commission has put forward proposals to deregulate the use of some GM crops. The changes would mean genetically modified plants ‘comparable’ to naturally occurring variations would not have…
Galway deal influencing EU environment rules – McGuinness
Major research in the Atlantic Ocean is helping to steer EU environmental policy – that’s according to Mairead McGuinness. The Galway Statement was signed ten years ago to encourage European,…
Ireland failed natural habitats, rules EU court
Ireland broke EU law by failing to establish hundreds of conservation zones, judges at the European Court of Justice have ruled. The European Commission designated more than 400 sites across…
Ireland organic farming laggard
Ireland continues to lag behind the rest of Europe for organic farming. Latest data compiled by the EU’s statistics agency suggests only around two per cent of Ireland’s agricultural land…