note on the classification of gley soils in Ireland with applications to planning pig farms

• Published in: Irish journal of agricultural and food research 1998, Vol.37 (1), p.79-85
• Main Author: Mulqueen, J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: agricultural law; Agricultural soils; Agrology; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Alluvial soils; Animal productions; Biological and medical sciences; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; environmental impact statements; Exact sciences and technology; farm size; farms; Forest soils; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gley soils; Grassland soils; hydrodynamics; Hydromorphic soils; livestock production; Orchard soils; pig farming; planning; Soil associations; Soil pollution; Soil science; Soil surveys, classification and mapping; Soil surveys, classification and mapping, soil genesis; Soil water; Soils; Surficial geology; surveys; swine; Terrestrial animal productions; Vertebrates
• ISSN: 0791-6833; 2009-9029

Legislation in the Republic of Ireland differentiates between gley and non-gley soils in relation to the size of pig farms requiring (i) environmental impact (EIS) statements for planning permission (ii) licensing (IPC licence). Pig farmers on gley soils require an EIS statement and an IPC licence for more than 1000 pig units; this is increased to 3000 pig units on non-gley soils with the soil type defined at the site of the farm buildings. The range and variation in gley soils in Ireland are outlined and the role of hydromorphic features in soil classification systems in various countries discussed. The hydrodynamics of gley soils are not well understood. It is recommended that the differentiation between soil types be dropped in a future revision of the legislation on planning and licensing pig farms. Suggestions on the subdivision of gley soils in soil surveys of the Irish counties remaining unsurveyed and for studies on their hydrodynamics are provided.