Ireland has been at pains to promote the green image of its Food and Drink sector and with good reason. Agriculture still employs a great number of people. However, it need to be more than marketing spin.
The recent report by the Irish EPA states that the Food and Drink sector tops the lists of complaints by the public in 2014.
A total of 419 odour complaints were received for the Food and Drink sector with Non-Hazardous Waste being second at 364.
For noise, 64% of the complaints received by the EPA were regarding noise, followed by the Non-Hazardous Waste Transfer Stations Sector at 26%.
Odours and noise can reduce the quality of life for both rural and urban dwellers and the sector need to do more to reduce this problem.