Derogation briefing very concerning for farmers - IFA

IFA President Francie Gorman said that IFA is very concerned about plans set out in a memo to Cabinet last week, onwhich the Agriculture Water Quality Group was recently updated.

“We were advised by the Minister for Agriculture that this memo proposed that the Irish Government would make a commitment to undertake ‘appropriate assessments’ at catchment or sub catchment level under the EU Habitats Directive in order to improve our chance of securing the derogation,” he said.

“IFA made it clear to the Minister when we met him last week that we need far more clarity on this aspect of the Government’s plan, which is very significant and logistically mind boggling.

“Based on the Minister’s briefing we could be looking at doing hundreds of Appropriate Assessments around the country, even with the State paying for them, and this will cause huge uncertainty for individual farmers,” he said.

“IFA is a notice party in the case taken by An Taisce and we understand the issues raised regarding the Habitats Directive. However, this a jump into the unknown for farmers, co-ops and processors and the rural economy. It is very concerning and will cause huge frustration and uncertainty on the ground,” he said.

Fight

Meanwhile Senator Robbie Gallagher has called on his party colleague Minister Martin Heydon to fight for the derogation to be retained. The Monaghan man noted that the fact that Ireland is the only EU Member State seeking permission to avail of the nitrates derogation post-2025 underlines the challenge ahead in retaining it.

“Ireland may be the only country now seeking a derogation; however, we are also the only country with this grass-based system. Securing an extension of Ireland’s Nitrates derogation is a key Government priority with the current derogation due to expire at year-end. The Ministers for Agriculture and Housing have issued a joint memo for information with updates on recent developments regarding the next Nitrates Action Programme and renewal of Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation. There is ongoing engagement with the Commission on the process with a number of presentations to the Nitrates committee, the important advisory committee made up of Member States and Ireland will continue to engage with this committee and commission officials over the coming months.,” said Senator Gallagher.

The derogation is a provision within the Nitrates Directive allowing a scientifically justified higher limit on the application of livestock manure nitrogen to land than the standard limit set down in the Directive.

“The derogation facilitates, and is justified by, Ireland’s unique grass-based outdoor livestock production systems. All other EU Member States have either discontinued seeking a derogation or have been refused. This underlines the seriousness of the situation,” added Senator Gallagher.

“There is strong cross-Government commitment to improving water quality and retaining the Derogation and Ministers are continuing their work, engaging with a broad range of stakeholders and the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group. It is critical to maintain our focus on improving water quality, achieving compliance with all legal requirements and securing our Nitrates Derogation. All the stakeholders and the wider agri-food sector are working diligently on improving water quality and this must be recognised,” he said.