Agriculture and the Environment in Ireland: Directions for the Future

Eithne Murphy and Breda Lally ()
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Breda Lally: Department of Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway

No 13, Working Papers from National University of Ireland Galway, Department of Economics

Abstract: In this paper we review the principal changes in Irish agricultural practices since accession to the European Economic Community in 1973 and their impact on the environment. The principal effects of a more specialised and intensive agriculture are increased slight and moderate pollution of waters due to eutrophication, soil erosion on hills due to overstocking with sheep and destruction of natural habitats. Policy response has been on three fronts; economic, legal and educational. Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy is perceived to be moving in the right direction, although we have reservations about sectoral policies with regard to the pig industry and forestry. Furthermore, the reform of the sheep regime is not radical enough to redress the environmental damage caused by overstocking of hills. The effect of economic reforms on the environment will be seen in the medium to long run. More acute environmental problems need to be tackled through legislation. The principle of subsidiarity must apply because of the location specificity of the agri-environmental relationship. Success in addressing acute environmental problems depends primarily on how Local Authorities exercise their powers in: (i) drawing up appropriate Bye-Laws; (ii) monitoring the environment and; (iii) penalising transgressors.

JEL-codes: O2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1997, Revised 1997
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Published in Administration , Vol. 46, No. 1, 1998

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