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The Ploughing Competition begins in Co. Offaly.

Tús leis an gComórtas Treabhdóireachta i gCo Uíbh Fhailí.

The National Ploughing Championships began today in Scraggan in Co Offaly, the largest open-air gathering in Europe which is expected to be attended by 300,000 people over the next three days.

Cuireadh tús inniu leis an gComórtas Náisiúnta Treabhdóireachta sa Screagán i gCo Uíbh Fhailí, an tóstal faoin aer is mó san Eoraip a meastar go bhfreastalóidh 300,000 duine air as seo go ceann trí lá.

The event was officially opened by the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, the last time he will hold that position as he is due to step down from office this year.

Is é Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D Higgins a chuir tús oifigiúil leis an ócáid, an uair dheiridh a bheas an cúram sin air agus é le n-éirí as oifig i mbliana.

Competitions, exhibitions, selling, buying, aerating and baccarat will take place at the major fair in the midlands that farmers flock to every year.

Comórtais, taispeántais, díol, ceannach, aeraíocht agus bachram a bheas ar siúl ag an móraonach i lár tíre a mbíonn feirmeoirí ag triall air ina dtáinte gach uile bhliain.

In addition to the fun, there will also be the seriousness and the future of the agricultural sector to be sifted by farmers and their representatives in light of the latest international trade agreements, in particular the Mercosur agreement.

Chomh maith leis an súgradh, beidh an dáiríre ann freisin agus a bhfuil i ndán don earnáil talmhaíochta le criathrú ag feirmeoirí agus a n- ionadaithe i bhfianaise na socruithe trádála idirnáisiúnta is deireanaí, go háirithe comhaontú Mercosur.

Farmers believe that this agreement could be very damaging to the beef and poultry sector in Ireland.

Creideann feirmeoirí go bhféadfadh an comhaontú sin an-dochar a dhéanamh don earnáil mairteola agus éineola in Éirinn.

Farmers are also concerned that their specific arrangement regarding the amount of nitrates they apply to their land will soon be ended.

Tá imní ar fheirmeoirí freisin go gcuirfear deireadh go luath leis an socrú faoi leith atá acu maidir leis an méid níotráití a chuireann siad ar a gcuid talaimh.

The European Union is asking them to apply less nitrates to the land in the future for environmental reasons, but the farmers claim that the proposed reduction is not necessary given the high water quality in this country.

Tá an tAontas Eorpach ag iarraidh orthu níos lú níotráití a chur ar an talamh feasta de ghrá an chomhshaoil, ach maíonn na feirmeoirí nach bhfuil gá leis an laghdú atá molta agus caighdeán an uisce sa tír seo chomh hard anois.

In addition to President Higgins, the people who are seeking to replace him will also be attending the fair in Scregán at various times this week.

Chomh maith leis an Uachtarán Higgins, na daoine atá ag iarraidh teacht ina áit, tabharfaidh siad féin sciuird ar an aonach sa Screagán ag tráthanna éagsúla an tseachtain seo.

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