Approximately 2,000 Irish farmers and supporters gathered in the County Cork town of Bandon last week to protest the imposition of stringent new nitrogen emission standards. This is the latest sign that agricultural discontent is spreading across Europe following similar events in the Netherlands.
Farmers are objecting to a recommendation by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency to reduce from 250 kg to 220 kg the amount of nitrogen allowed per hectare of land used for dairy farming. The proposal is currently being reviewed by the European Commission.
