Philip O’Neill is a slugger reader from Belfast.
We all like a good cause, an opportunity to put a right a wrong whether it be in sport, work, or even globally where we can donate to Concern or MSF and feel better for making a difference.
We currently have on our doorstep one of the biggest ecological disasters to face the Island of Ireland, Lough Neagh. You will have seen pictures this week of swans and other creatures struggling to wade through the depth of algae. Last year it was bad as algae covered significant portions of the Lough, today it is worse as the depth of the algae has increased, reducing oxygen levels and killing the Lough. We call it algae, however in reality it is dangerous spoors, Cyanobacteria, a toxin so dangerous it causes skin rashes and breathing issues in humans and which can be fatal to dogs and livestock.
We have seen fishing curtailed in the Lough which is affecting the livelihood of fishermen around the Lough. The bio balance of the Lough has been affected, by how much we do not know. The Lough fly which has been the basis of the food chain in the Lough for an age has all but disappeared, it is only a couple of years ago when they could be seen in their millions in swarms over the Lough. There are several fish that have evolved in such a way that they are unique to the Lough, these numbers will be decimated. Leisure on the Lough has been affected. Personally I have had a sail boat on the Lough for around 10 years, and for the most part I and my family have enjoyed boating on the Lough, making good friends in the process. Even last year any time we went out on the boat my wife, who has asthma, would suffer for days with breathing problems. SO we stopped. I held out hope that the Executive would get behind the Lough Neagh rescue plan, however that hope appears to be in vain. With the Lough getting worse and worse each year I finally took the decision to sell my boat, one of the few sailboats on the Lough.
With a few other Sluggerites I attended the protest walk for the Lough on 17 May this year. There was a good turn out and we heard some passionate speeches highlighting concerns including the possibility of cancer clusters. None has been proven, however by the time evidence is gathered it will be too late. I spoke with a fisherman today who has not fished the Lough at all this year. He told me his family home was on the Lough and for 60 years they drew their water from the Lough, it was clear and clean. He has had his son on the Lough before he could walk, however his son now complains of stomach pains anytime he is on the Lough.
It is widely accepted that farmers are to blame for the increase in nutrients being flushed into the Lough. The Farmers Union had initially suggested that it may be a few rogue farmers who may be to blame, however their latest stance is to question the data of pollutants in the Lough and have strongly opposed DEARAs Nutrient Action Programme. Calling to the Minister and the Permanent Secretary to resign. Two key things you may note as you travel around the countryside. Firstly is the lack of cattle in fields. This is largely because of the increase in industrial style high density feedlots or barns, rearing cattle in similar conditions to battery hens. While this allows for economies of scale it does raise questions on animal welfare and concentrated waste polluting watercourses. Secondly you will see tractors spreading manure waste on their fields in the rain. I witness this regularly and while it is illegal it is also frowned upon as poor farming practice. Without the support of farmers and the farmers union the Lough will not recover, simple as. There does not appear to be an appetite to increase fines for errant farmers so without a stick we must hope that the carrot may work.
I believe there is a rally at Antrim on Thursday 27 August at 6.00 pm. We are months away from an election and an opportunity for our political parties to state clearly their plans for Lough Neagh. If they don’t I for one will be challenging them at every opportunity, am I alone?
This is a guest slot to give a platform for new writers either as a one off, or a prelude to becoming part of the regular Slugger team.
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