Farming « Thurles Information

Plus Ca Change, Plus C’est La Même Chose.

“Plus ca change, plus c’est la même chose” or “the more things change, the more they stay the same”, is a proverb usually attributed to the French critic, journalist, and novelist Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr, (1808-1890) who used it in 1849.

Then perhaps Karr had come to this conclusion, having read Ecclesiastes (Ch. 1-Verses. 9-10-11), latter literature contained in the Christian Old Testament.

(9) “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”.
(10) Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time“.
(11) “No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them”.

So what brought all this on I hear you ask?

**L-R**: **(1) Small, one handed**, **Gardener’s lawn** **‘Daisy Grubber**‘.
**(2)** **Head only of a large 17th century, two handed, farm labourer’s *‘Grubber’*.**

I was looking at some gardening equipment on line; in search of something to remove unwanted growth from my small grass lawn area, when I spotted a small hand held ‘Gardener’s Daisy Grubber’.

This small ‘Daisy Grubber’ reminded me of a blacksmith made, spade size, Grubber, used back in the 17th/18th/19th century, also used to remove stubborn, deep-rooted, Thistle and Dock roots from corn fields, prior to harvesting. The immediate removal, back then, ensured that the seeds of both weeds would not end up amongst oat and barley seed, being trashed and due for sowing the following spring.

This spade size, ancient Grubber would take on an alternative use during the middle of the 19th century; becoming useful to those employed by Irish landlords and their agents, to assist in evicting tenants.

**A forced Irish eviction using a battering ram, taking place in the mid-19th century, being strongly defended by the tenants residing within.**

Those tenants either failing to pay or unable to pay their rent were evicted, often by force, from their homes. This same agricultural Grubber, whose teeth resemble a modern day claw hammer, was used to remove nails/spikes from roof timbers. Once the nails/spikes were removed/drawn, the thatched roof on such dwellings could be easily collapsed; ensuring that the evicted tenants could not return to seek shelter over future nights.

FSAI Recall Batch Of Dairy Farm Vanilla Ice Cream.

FSAI recall a batch of Dairy Farm Vanilla Ice Cream due to chemical smell and taste from the product.

Alert Summary dated Friday, April 4th 2025.

Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2025.17
Product Identification: Dairy Farm Vanilla Ice Cream tub; pack size: 1 litre; approval number: IE 1065 EC
Batch Code: L24356B; best before date: June 2026
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message: The above batch of Dairy Farm Vanilla Ice Cream is being recalled due to some customers experiencing a chemical smell and/or taste from the product.
Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in Lidl stores.

Action Required:
Consumers: Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch.

Note: At the best of times, according to the independent YUKA App. the above product, when scanned by Thurles.Info, contains Mono-and diglycerides of fatty acids, latter a high risk texturizing agent which provides consistency, maintains or modifies the texture of this product.
This additive we are informed, could in cases of high consumption, increase the risk of developing cancers and cardiovascular diseases. It is also suspected of disrupting gut flora , which could lead to an increased risk of autoimmune and allergic diseases, as well as inflammatory diseases.

This product also contains Locust bean gum; Guar gum and E415. These additives/texturizing agents used as emulsifiers are believed to also alter gut microbiota. A recent Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) study, [latter the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research], found that such emulsifiers may be associated with the development of breast cancer. However, it is also accepted that further studies are required with regards to this latter claim.

Now comes the questions:
(1) With this research knowledge readily available; why are Irish manufacturers allowed to use these additives/texturizing agents in such products?
(2) Why are Shops/Supermarkets continuing to sell such products?
(3) Could the removal of such additives/texturizing agents from our food, reduce hospital overcrowding and patient waiting time for beds?

We have forwarded these three questions to the Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine, Mr Martin Heydon TD. (martin.heydon@oir.ie) and to the Minister for Health, Ms Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD (jennifer.carrollmacneill@oireachtas.ie); seeking early replies.

A Taste of Indigestion.

“A Taste of Indigestion” by the award-winning writer, director and actor from County Leitrim, Seamus O’Rourke.

The madness of a simple rural man, who goes through bouts of depression, obesity and anger issues.

Welcome Reduction In Nitrogen Levels In Rivers In 2024, says EPA

There has been a welcome reduction in nitrogen levels in rivers in 2024, says Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator for 2024, published by the EPA, shows that nitrogen levels in rivers have reduced in 2024.
Despite the reduction, nitrogen remains too high in the southeastern half of the country and further reductions will be needed to bring them to satisfactory levels.
Agriculture is the primary source of nitrogen in our waters. Significant actions are underway by the sector to reduce nitrogen losses.
Ongoing and sustained actions will be needed to reduce nutrient levels so that the ecological health of our waters can improve.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has today published early insights into nitrogen levels in rivers in 2024. The Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator 2024 has been developed to provide more timely information on nitrogen levels and is based on monitoring data at 20 major and representative rivers. Overall, the early insights indicator shows that nitrogen levels have improved in 2024. However, nitrogen remains too high in the southeastern half of the country. Agriculture is the primary source of nitrogen in these areas.

Commenting on the report, Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment, said: “The EPA continually strives to produce timely information and evidence on Ireland’s environment. Specifically, this publication responds to a need for early insights into trends in nitrogen levels. Agriculture is the primary source of nitrogen in Irish rivers and there is significant action underway within the sector to improve water quality. It is therefore very welcome to see these early signs of improvement. It is important that the sector builds on this momentum and continues to implement actions to reduce nutrient losses in a targeted way.”

The EPA will publish its three-yearly assessment of water quality in Ireland, for the period 2019 – 2024, later in 2025. This future report will combine data on nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in waterbodies, with the biological quality monitoring data on fish, aquatic insects and plants, to give a comprehensive assessment of the ecological health of all waters.

Ms Jenny Deakin, EPA Programme Manager, added: “It is very positive to see this improvement in nitrogen levels in 2024, following a period of little positive change in recent years. However, nitrogen levels remain too high in the southeastern half of the country. Further actions will be necessary to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus losses to levels which will support good ecological health in our water bodies. The ecology will not improve until nutrient levels are reduced in the areas where they are elevated. The EPA will be reporting on the ecological health of our waters later in 2025.”

The Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator 2024 report is now available on the EPA website.

Further information on local water quality and targeting agricultural measures is available on the EPA website.

Inland Fisheries Secure Conviction Against Tipperary Cheese Company.

IFI secures conviction against cheese maker for slurry pollution offence.

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has secured a conviction against a dairy production firm for slurry pollution of a tributary of the River Suir, and have been ordered to pay fines and costs of €7,440.

The Tipperary Cheese Company Ltd was found to have caused slurry to flow into the Clover River system at Leigh, Two Mile Borris, Thurles Co. Tipperary

**Slurry in Clover River latter a tributary of the River Suir**.
*Pic: Courtesy Inland Fisheries Ireland*.

Commenting, Ms Lynda Connor (South-Eastern regional director at IFI) said: “The Clover River was found to be in a poor condition, with polluting material discharging into this river from a drain full of slurry”.
Ms Connor added “Ensuring clean and healthy water is not just a responsibility, but a necessity for the survival of fish and the ecosystems they thrive in. This successful prosecution is part of Inland Fisheries Ireland’s very determined efforts to protect the State’s rivers, streams, and lakes.”

The court heard the evidence for the defence did not match up with photographs which showed deep slurry in the water, not just a spillage, and the issue had been ongoing for a considerable time before action was taken.

It was noted that the pollution constituted a very serious breach on the part of The Tipperary Cheese Company Ltd.

Evidence was given by IFI Fisheries Environmental Officer Mr Oliver McGrath who outlined the facts to the court. The incident took place in December 2023 and was heard at Thurles District Court on February 18th 2025.

IFI urge people to report water pollution, illegal fishing activity, habitat destruction, fish kills or issues of concern in their local rivers/lakes; to its confidential 24/7 number, 0818 34 74 24.