Sustainability in Irish Agriculture

Abstract

Recent decades have seen increasing intensification in Irish agriculture, resulting in some degradation of natural resources. Concerns resulting from this have led to a current emphasis on sustainable agriculture which is a food production and distribution system that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to do likewise. In a soil fertility context, sustainable agriculture entails the maintenance of the balance between nutrients being removed by crops or animal produce and nutrient inputs from fertilisers and nutrient recycling. Phosphorus and nitrogen are key elements in agricultural productivity, but if used to excess can lead to pollution of rivers and lakes, and require greater monitoring, as well as close attention to rates and times of application. An integral part of the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy is the increased emphasis on environmental conservation through measures aimed at integrating environmental and agricultural policy. ‘Towards Sustainability’. the European Union (EU) Fifth Action programme on the environment includes sustainable agriculture as one of its aims. In an Irish context, sustainable agriculture implies that the fabric of rural communities should be sustained, and this is not happening. It is unlikely that Irish livestock numbers can be increased in the foreseeable future to utilise the national area of grassland to its capacity and it is therefore crucial that alternatives to grassland farming be found. The role of forestry is discussed in this context.