The role of planning legislation in the control of water pollution from intensive agricultural enterprises in County Monaghan

Abstract

This thesis is set against a background of a decline in water quality and continued expansion of Intensive Agricultural Enterprise’s (IAE’s) in County Monaghan. It examines the Planning process to determine its effectiveness in controlling IAE’s in Monaghan and addressing the issue of declining water quality. The sources of pollution have not been proven but agriculture is clearly implicated in its decline. It is vital that farmers achieve a balance between P inputs and outputs, while minimising nutrient ‘leaks’ to the environment and meeting production targets. The thesis describes trends in IAE’s which illustrate rapid growth from 1980 to 1990 and a levelling off of agricultural developments since then. The number of planning conditions attached have increased over recent years notably with the introduction of NMP in 1996. On the basis of this review the following must be considered for formal inclusion in the planning process. 1. Research to identify and quantify point and non point P sources and control of these sources. 2. Forward planning to protect the environment and also allow farther development of the agricultural sector. 3. Unified approach from the mushroom industry to tackle problems associated with the management of SMC. 4. Need for environmental polices to be formulated and implemented to prevent the further decline of water quality. 5. Education of farmers is vital on all aspects of Total Quality Management. 6. Use of a GIS would be a major tool in the control of IAE’s. 7 Increase in resources to enable adequate monitoring of IAE’s and watercourses. County Monaghan’s economy depends significantly on agriculture for employment and general prosperity. A balance has to be found between agricultural developments and protection of water resources in the County.