This article is from page 34 of the 2008-01-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 34 JPG
FOLLOWING the Government climb-down on the water charges issue in primary schools before Christmas, farmers have launched a fresh campaign seeking a transitional period to be introduced governing the payment of water charges. Speaking last week, IFA Con- naught vice president Michael Silke said that contradictory comments made by various Government min- isters and Department of Environ- ment officials over the last number of weeks have caused further confusion as to the extent to which the penal
watering charging regime needs to be introduced. “Local authorities now recognise the excessive charges which are being imposed on farmers and are supporting the Irish Farm- ers’ Association (IFA) in our plight for fair and equitable water charging for all,” he said.
“This Government and the De- partment of the Environment have allowed local authorities to unfairly impose an inequitable domestic wa- ter usage restriction on farm families while every other user of local au- thority water has unlimited usage.”
Mr Silke has been critical of the local authority meter charges and
the charge for leaking water asso- ciated with the inadequate water Hevea KieueCe MUD KSs
“It is ludicrous to expect the farming community to pay for years of underinvestment in water infra- structure. It is ridiculous that farmers are expected to pay for the antiquat- ed leaking water pipes and the water, which never even reaches the farm. Farmers are not prepared to pay for water leakage or infrastructure,” Mr Silke added.
“The new water charging regime proposed by local authorities lacks clarity, varies 1n each county and penalises farmers for the excessive
water leakage of some 64 per cent, which local authorities have in their water infrastructure.
“IT cannot see how this Government can justify various levels of water charges, which for the average dairy farmer in a county such as Sligo will make it more than €1,500 more expensive to produce and process milk for drinking than other neigh- bouring countries.
“Until local authorities and the min- ister for the environment propose a reasonable water charging regime for farmers the IFA are advising farm- ers to pay the annual flat rates which were 1n place in previous years.”