17 May 2015
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
The exceptional work of the community of Castletownroche in keeping their area litter free has resulted in them being awarded the top prize in the IFA’s Rural Spring Clean initiative.
IFA Deputy President and Countryside Chairman, Tim O’Leary, said “During the month of April farm families and rural dwellers across the country took part in the Rural Spring Clean initiative and registered their good work on www.ifacountryside.ie. It was uplifting to see so much community spirit. We realise that there is a lot of effort at a local level in trying to keep the countryside litter-free and this initiative wanted to recognise this.”
IFA continues to support this work by seeking new policy measures from Government, including tougher penalties for litter dumping and greater enforcement by local authorities.
Commenting on the winners, Mr. O’ Leary said, “The work of farmers and the wider community of Castletownroche was exceptional. Over 55 people took part throughout the month of April. In excess of 11 miles of roads in the catchment area of Castletownroche were cleaned up and a real difference has been made.”
The farm plastic recycling company IFFPG teamed up with IFA as part of the Rural Spring Clean initiative and their Chairman Michael Slattery said, “The range of entries to the competition showed the real effort that took place from families taking time to clean up the roadside verges near their homes to large groups tackling the scourge of litter left in their community. Thanks to everyone who took part in this initiative, as well as all of those who continue to maintain the rural countryside litter-free throughout the year”.