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Following the most recent meeting of the EU Environment ministers,
IFA National Environment Committee Chairman, Tom Dunne said
- "the European Commission has finally recognised that
the proposed soil framework directive is both unworkable and
unnecessary."
IFA opposed this directive because existing environmental
legislation brings similar benefits to soil protection, which
this proposed directive sought to achieve. Mr Dunne added
- "Over 70% of all Member State environmental legislation
already comes from the European Parliament. This proposed
directive would have led to increased bureaucracy, the duplication
of regulations and, consequently, additional expenses - without
bringing about significant additional improvement in soil
protection.
"Current good farming practice plays an important role
in maintaining the quality of soil and counteracting soil
degradation in Ireland and the EU. The reformed CAP will ensure
soil protection in agriculture, through its requirements for
wide-ranging good agricultural and environmental practices,
which target the maintenance of soil organic matter and good
soil structure in an effective way."
The IFA Environment Chairman concluded - "Farming and
soil management share a symbiotic relationship. The capacity
of farmers to protect soil - and contribute to its improvement
- is related to their competitiveness and income and the economic
viability of their businesses."
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