Call to retain nitrates derogation

Aontú Senator Sarah O’Reilly has called on the Government to give a definitive commitment to retain Ireland’s nitrates derogation.

Raising the issue in the Seanad, Senator O’Reilly said farmers have “done everything asked of them” yet continue to face “constant pressure” from Brussels.

“Farmers have invested heavily in new technology and in low emission outputs to protect the environment and improve water quality, yet they’re constantly being hit with new measures from Europe that threaten the very future of rural Ireland."

“Ireland has a completely different, grass-fed and sustainable system of food production, yet our farmers are being unfairly blamed for increased nitrates in rivers without any serious investigation into other causes like faulty wastewater treatment plants, urban run-off or industrial pollution,” she claimed.

Senator O’Reilly also condemned the "hypocrisy" of the EU saying: “Brussels continues to push ahead with the Mercosur trade deal while punishing Irish farmers. We’ll be importing beef from countries engaged in mass deforestation while penalising our own farmers who operate one of the most environmentally sustainable systems in the world. It makes absolutely no sense.”

The Cavan Monaghan Senator confirmed that she has written to the Minister seeking a clear guarantee that Ireland’s nitrates derogation, which allows for up to 250kg of nitrogen per hectare, will be retained in both the short and long term.