Fears are mounting that farmers could lose the most effective tool for fighting rushes, the spray MCPA.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warned this week that the herbicide could be banned by the European Commission unless farmers take greater care in how they use it.

Major concerns have been raised about the level of MCPA found in drinking water supplies, with pesticides found to exceed the legal limit in around 60 water schemes nationwide in 2015 and 2016. MCPA accounts for around 80% of the pesticide breaches.

EPA senior inspector Darragh Page has warned the findings could lead to a ban on MCPA in Ireland or across Europe. The spray is regarded as the single most important tool for controlling rushes on wet land. Without it, farmers would be forced to revert to repeated and labour-intensive systematic topping of fields.

Under the European Drinking Water Directive, the maximum allowable limit for pesticides in drinking water is one part per billion.

MCPA is continuously found in drinking water supplies, the European Commission is likely to take decisive action in the form of a ban.

Fears of MCPA ban as chemical found in drinking water

'A single drop of MCPA in an Olympic-size pool will contaminate the water'

Rush spray ban looms

Farmers could see MCPA, one of their most critical rush sprays, banned, the EPA has warned.