Liam Kavanagh
Ceist:47 Mr. Kavanagh asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he has any plans to publicise the danger of silage effluent to our rivers and lakes.
Written Answers. - Silage Effluent.
Responsibility for keeping the water in our rivers and lakes clean rests with the local authorities.
The number of fish kills arising from farm-related activities has dropped significantly in recent years due to greater awareness on the part of farmers and to the introduction of the Control of Farmyard Pollution Scheme and related measures.
Since 1988 the total amount paid in grants under the Western Package, the Control of Farming and Pollution Scheme and the Farm Improvement Programme comes to £136 million. The bulk of this related to on farm investment in anti pollution measures including animal housing and facilities for storing forage — hay and silage — and facilities for the storage and disposal of waste.
The total number of grants paid was 40,000 approximately.
Control of silage effluent features prominently in the advisory and training programmes run by Teagasc, who in addition, undertake a major publicity campaign on this issue each year.