Decision to allow Irish salmon farm to extract freshwater from lake faces legal challenge

In July, Irish farm, Bradán Beo Teoranta was granted permission to extract fresh water from a nearby lake. Now that decision is facing a court inquiry.

According to the Connacht Tribune, a judicial review into the permission granted to Bradán Beo Teo to bring water from the lake in the Lettermullen area, western Ireland is to take place in the High Court. Salmon need to pass through a shower of fresh water to prevent amoebic gill disease.

Bord Pleanála (a body that decides on appeals from planning decisions made by local authorities in Ireland) granted permission two months ago to the farm to extract water from Loch an Mhuillin.

Bradán Beo Teo (in which regional state agency, Údarás na Gaeltachta, owns a substantial amount if shares in) was refused permission for water extraction from Loch an Mhuillin by Galway County Council early last year.

However, following a year long process, the higher planning authority gave it the green light. The decision is now set for the Courts.

Environmental activist, Peter Sweetman, is associated with the proposed High Court review regarding the way in which the Loch an Mhuillin decision was arrived at. In 2018, Sweetman derailed plans for the 38,000 tonne rock barrier at the President Donald Trump-owned Trump Doonbeg golf resort in west Clare.

According to the publication, legal documents have been sent to Bradán Beo Teoranta and to Galway County Council who would have a role in the Court proceeding as well as an Bord Pleanála.

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