The European Commission is expected to propose that farms with 100 cattle or more will require permits, as a part of a major review of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED). Ireland Midlands North-West MEP Colm Markey has raised his concern, saying he is “alarmed” by the proposal. He adds that “it would directly impact family farms, which are not of industrial scale and do little to address the problem.” The permit system already exists for large pig and poultry operations, and reports state that this may to extended to cover larger cattle enterprises.
The recommendations also include a proposal to increase the number of pig and poultry farms that would be subject to permits by lowering the threshold of livestock units (LUs) at which permits are required.
But the proposal is in its infancy and may be subject to amendments. The Industrial Emissions Directive document states that “rearing of pigs, poultry and cattle causes significant pollutant emissions to air and water”. “In order to reduce such negative impact, it is necessary to lower the threshold above which pigs and poultry installations are included within the scope of this directive”, it adds.
The proposed thresholds of LUs for which permits would be required in the different sectors are the following:
- 100 LUs for cattle or a mixed cattle, pig and poultry operation
- 125 LUs for pigs, poultry or a mixed pig and poultry operation
However, it should be noted that under EU regulations the conversion rate of animals to LU differs across various farming enterprises.
The draft proposal has not been taken well by the Irish Farmers’ Association, as the organisation’s president Tim Cullinan has called for it to be binned.