Farmers across Co. Tipperary can obtain free Irish native wildflower seeds at nine different cattle marts here in the county, during the month of March 2019. Some 1,000 farmers will receive these seeds, and are expected to participate in a ‘Pollination Plan’, thus aiding conservation here in Co. Tipperary this year.
The overall aim of the gifting of these free seeds, is to use deep-rooted perennial plants to recycle leached ground minerals, to combat drought and through flowering; to attract beneficial insects onto farmland to assist with pest management.
Following a recent National Biodiversity Conference held last February, Design By Nature decided it would be best to introduce farmers to the benefits of native wildflowers with a simple seed mixture, that would grow across a wide variety of soil types and farming situations.
Free Seed Packs
The information contained with each seed pack will be accompanied by links to websites containing information on farm supports and other research material, latter undertaken at Teagasc, into attracting pollinators to farm crops.
The 30 seed species contained in these seed packs include perennials such as birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus); clover and vetch, latter to fix nitrogen loss; yarrow and wild carrot, to recycle lost nutrients; together with many flowering perennials to attract absent and declining insects life.
Sandro Cafolla – founder of Design By Nature and provider of these free seed packs, is asking farmers that fail or choose not to make full use of these free seeds on their land, to give them instead to local schools or Tidy Towns groups, who would readily use them instead.
Follow-up visit by TD Michael Lowry and Minister Heather Humphries to €30 Million Glanbia Biorefinery at Lisheen, Moyne, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
On Wednesday last, Independent Deputy Mr Michael Lowry TD, together with Minister for Business, Enterprise & Innovation, Ms Heather Humphreys TD, visited Lisheen, Moyne, Thurles where an industrial scale biorefinery is now planned.
Deputy Lowry had welcomed a major announcement in December 2017 by Minister Humphreys, when Lisheen Mines, which had closed with 400 job losses, was chosen as the site for this national bio-economy centre. Mr Lowry also welcomed the Regional Enterprise Development’s allocation decision of €4.5 million to the project in December 2017.
Following on from this Deputy Lowry took part in discussions with EU Commissioner Mr Phil Hogan, in April 2018, upon the announcement of a substantial further €22 million of EU funding for this identified Biorefinery.
Deputy Lowry said, “State funding of €4.5 million for this Tipperary project will renew and reinvigorate the local and wider economy here as Lisheen; latter set to become a world-renowned innovation centre, offering enormous job opportunities into the future”.
Led by Glanbia Plc, the project involves the building of a processing plant which will transform over 25,000 tonnes of excess agricultural food waste per annum, converting same to bio-based fertilizers.
Deputy Lowry TD, who has been central to all stages of these discussions and plans from the outset, stated on Wednesday last “Environmental sustainability is a huge issue worldwide. This new project will now place Ireland and Co. Tipperary firmly on the world map as being at the centre for future technology research and the development of further sustainable agricultural processes.”
“Here employment potential as well as overall economic growth for Tipperary and the surrounding area will prove to be hugely significant”, concluded the Deputy.
Cost overrun on the National Children’s Hospital project will not delay the Templemore Flood Relief Scheme; same being currently undertaken by the Office of Public Works (OPW).
Tipperary Independent TD Deputy Michael Lowry has confirmed today that further to a number of meetings with Minister Boxer Moran, concerning the Templemore Flood Relief Scheme, he has received assurance that the main scheme in Templemore is progressing and will not be further delayed. This follows the Government decision, [on Tuesday February 12th 2019], in relation to capital reallocations, brought about by the cost overrun on the National Children’s Hospital project.
Bridge Construction, part of the Templemore Flood Relief Scheme, currently being undertaken by the OPW.
As our readers will be aware; the town of Templemore, Co. Tipperary, part of the Templemore / Thurles Municipal district, lies on the River Mall, which drains a catchment area that includes parts of the Kilduff and Devilsbit Mountains, before flowing into the River Suir further downstream.
The town has had a long history of flooding; the most momentous of these having occurred back in December 1968 and even more recently in November 2000, December 2015 and January 2016, with flood waters submerging and overwhelming, in total, some 40 properties.
Deputy Lowry stated: “Following discussion with Minister Kevin Boxer Moran I have been informed by the Minister and the OPW that construction of the River Mall (Templemore) Flood Relief Scheme is currently ongoing. To date, approximately 35% of the works have been completed, which include 450m of new channel excavation, 4 field bridges completed at various locations with another bridge substantially complete, and demolition and site clearance of a commercial property on the Richmond Road. Liaison is ongoing with relevant stakeholders, including local landowners, Inland Fisheries Ireland, the ESB, and Tipperary County Council. It is hoped to have the scheme works substantially completed by the end of 2019”.
Concluding Deputy Lowry stated: “I am very grateful for the support of Minister Boxer Moran and the commitment of the OPW to this project. It is hoped that the scheme of works will be substantially completed by the end of 2019”.
Kilkenny is set to hold an interactive cross-county event, to explore how local communities can create a sustainable future against the backdrop of the growing impacts of climate change.
This free event, organised by the Public Participation Networks (PPN) of counties Tipperary, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford and Waterford and the Irish Environmental Network, will take place at the Ormonde Hotel on Saturday February 23rd. Senator O’Sullivan will deliver the keynote address at this event that comes in response to growing demand for local solutions to an impending threat of climate change.
The event will concentrate on actions that can be replicated in any local area, whether at home or in the community, and aims to deliver action-focused outcomes for all participants.
Each workshop is delivered by an expert in their field, with the overall event facilitated by Davie Phillip of Cultivate, a Tipperary-based environmental NGO based in the Cloughjordan eco-village.
The event will focus on four key themes, including how to work towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how to expand the conversation of climate action, through community initiatives.
The other key themes are how to develop local responses to climate action in water catchment areas, and developing actions for biodiversity protection across a range of habitats found across the five counties.
During the day there will be four breakout sessions, each focusing on an important issue that we face today, including biodiversity loss, with wildlife populations down 60% in the last 40 years.
Pádraic Fogarty, leading Irish ecologist and vocal spokesperson for reversing biodiversity loss, will lead a workshop to explore solutions to this crisis.
There will also be interactive workshop to explore the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the practical side of applying them to the work of community groups. Davie Phillip, who for the last 20 years has helped to create sustainable communities and locally led initiatives, will lead this community orientated workshop.
Individuals around Ireland are becoming more vocal about the need for climate action. Ray McGrath, who has been working within communities in Waterford to bring climate actions to a wider audience, will lead an action focused workshop set to expand the conversation to all community groups, and identify a range of environmental actions that they can take.
With floods and droughts increasingly impacting rural farming communities and set to become more severe over the next few years, it is important that we work now to protect our water sources.
For this reason, the final workshop will explore initiatives that are being taken to protect water quality and look at what can be done within communities to help nurture healthy rivers and lakes. Fran Igoe, the southern regional coordinator for the Local Authority Waters Programme, will lead this workshop. Mr Igoe has worked on large scale locally led conservation projects, which will be explored during the workshop.
The event will end with a Q&A panel including all facilitators and speakers, and time over lunch to browse the information stands from local and regional environmental groups.
Senator Grace O’Sullivan said: “The importance of ‘Think Global, Act Local’ has never been more evident than at the moment. The evidence for strong government and international action goes hand-in-hand with the need to include communities. We need to give citizens a feeling of agency and improve support for and awareness of environmental initiatives designed to tackle the ecological crisis we face.”
Pádraic Fogarty of the Irish Wildlife Trust said: “The extinction crisis is happening in parallel with the climate crisis and it is important that communities can appreciate how this is affecting the places in which they live and work. Addressing both crises in tandem can bring enormous opportunities for local people when the right initiatives are put in place.”
Annette Dupuy, Wexford PPN Support Officer said: “From this event we want to give attendees three things; evidence based actions that they can replicate in their own areas, an opportunity to make new connections, and most of all inspiration to continue their work in creating a local sustainable future. We are very excited to bring this event to the South East and to share the great work that is being done in the area.”
Statement from the Department of Roads at Tipperary County Council.
The Roads Department of Tipperary County Council, wish to inform landowners that it has come to their attention that persons, latter purporting to be agents/contractors, are approaching farmers and other landowners, claiming that the Council has employed them to cut trees/hedges on behalf of the said Council. These rogue agents are also seeking payment for any work undertaken.
Tipperary County Council wish to make it clear to the public that it has absolutely no involvement, whatsoever, with these persons and has not employed their services in any capacity. They further point out that it is up to each individual landowner to arrange to cut their own trees/hedges.
If any member of the public should come across such so called agents, they are asked to report the matter immediately to Gardaí.
Should members of the public wish to receive further clarification on the above, please contact Tipperary County Council at Tel: 0761 06 5000, to discuss the matter further.
Note: All landowners and occupiers of land should note that Section 46 of the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000 prohibits the cutting, of hedges and ditches during the period March 1st to August 31st each year; thus ensuring the safety of birds and other wildlife.
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