The European Petitions Committee has said that it is not good enough that the cause of toxicity on Dan Brennan’s farm has not been found following a Department of Agriculture report into activities on the farm over the past two decades.
Mr Brennan was in Brussels on Wednesday before the committee with his team of vets and scientists for a presentation on the results of the report.
Following the presentation Mr Brennan received the cross party and cross country support of the MEPs and the Petitions Committee also stated ‘they are keeping this case open’.
They also criticised the European Commission for accepting the Department’s report, and added that there could also be a European Parliament resolution on the issue. They committed to liaising further with the Department and Mr Brennan so that causes will be found for the toxicity on his farm.
Green Party Deputy Mary White was also present at the hearing and she said that both Mr Brennan and his team were pleased with the level of questioning and interest on display from the committee, in particular their shock at the high levels of cadmium found in the animals.
“The committee share our determination that the source of cadmium must be pinpointed and we welcome the committee’s plans to put forward a resolution with a specified timeline for a response from the Irish authorities. I look forward to the Department of Agriculture’s response to the committee’s views.”
This was the second time that Mr Brennan was before the European Petitions Committee regarding the issues surrounding his farm of ill-thrift and stunted growth in his animals.
Last week Mr Brennan said that he was very unhappy with the Department’s report into the case and he pointed out that the levels of cadmium found in his animals were the highest recorded in the world.
He has set about taking the case to the High Court where he will try to prove that the local brick factory - Ormonde Brick is in some way responsible for the ongoing problems on his farm.
The CRH-owned factory has stated that it has complied with the directions of the Department during its investigations and has been vindicated to date in all areas related to emissions and toxins from the factory.
Of the Department report Deputy White added, “whilst the recent report by the Department made some headway on the issues concerning the farm, it is singularly disappointing that the report was unable to reach any definitive conclusions, in particular about the extremely high levels of cadmium found in the animals.”
Deputy White added, “I welcome the committee’s statement this afternoon that they are keeping this case open and that they have criticised the European Commission for accepting the Department’s report.”
