Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I draw the attention of the Taoiseach to the recent Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, report showing that at 42 sites, factories and landfills posed a pollution threat to our water sources. The EPA has stated that five of those sites have been put on a priority list for enforcement action after serious and repeated concerns were raised over discharges to local water sources. Of the five, four are in the meat or dairy sector, namely, Kepak Athleague, North Cork Co-Op Creameries, Aurivo Dairy Ingredients and Western Brand Group. The EPA has warned that breaches by food and drink firms threaten the so-called clean and green image of the sector which is crucial to its success. I would argue that part of its success is the light-touch regulation from the State. We need to come down hard on the way food is produced and food quality in this country in the meat producing and dairy sectors, not just for reasons of water quality but also due to the emissions that will harm our CO2 reduction targets.

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