Derogation extension regarded as offering "vital certainty" for some, a "calamity" for others

Reaction varies to yesterday's announcement of a three year extension to the Nitrates Derogation

The permission granted by the EU of a three-year extension for Ireland's nitrates derogation has received mixed responses across farm groups, politicians and environmental groups.

The farm lobby groups were generally pleased but concerned by the impact of further conditions attached.

Achieve

Minister Niamh Smyth responded to Tuesday's announcement as providing “vital certainty” for farmers.

“Our farmers are committed to producing high-quality food while protecting our environment, and this extension acknowledges that commitment. Water quality must be our priority if we are to maintain this derogation into the future. The measures we're introducing, including enhanced storage capacity, tighter limits in priority catchments, and improved nutrient management through AgNav, will help us achieve the water quality improvements we need.”

The Social Democrats were less enthusiastic branding it “a disaster” and “a calamity”. Their agriculture and environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore expressed her concern explaining, “if past performance is anything to go by, our water quality is the price we have paid to maintain it.

“This will be our sixth nitrates derogation since 2006. Every time the derogation is extended, we hear the same commitments that water quality will improve. It has yet to happen. In fact, a recent EPA report revealed that our waterways are continuing to deteriorate.”

“This is not just a disaster for the environment and for biodiversity, it is a calamity for rural communities – who deserve, and want, clean water for activities like angling, swimming and tourism opportunities.

“To give one stark example of the impact of nitrates on our waterways, Lady’s Island Lake in Wexford is now being described as “dead”. We cannot allow for more of our waterways to fall into this retrograde state.”

Additional measures

The farm bodies were more positive response generally, with IFA President Francie Gorman saying it “recognises” Ireland's grass-based system, which is different from our EU counterparts.

“This outcome is not an ‘opt out’ from the Nitrates Directive as some like to portray it. Higher stocking rates are provided for under Annex 3 of the EU Nitrates Directive and those who apply annually for permission to operate at higher stocking rates will have to implement many additional measures,” he said.

Mr Gorman explained that the extension was granted on condition that appropriate assessments, under the Habitats Directive, will be carried out at catchment level where farmers are availing of the higher stocking limits in that catchment.

Irreparably harmed

The Social Democrats' Jennifer Whitmore gave her view on the impact on those farmers in derogation.

“This decision also has implications for farmers, who are being repeatedly incentivised by government to intensify their model of farming – which is not sustainable given our dire water quality and climate action obligations.

“Instead of supporting and resourcing farmers, to move to a more sustainable model, the government is leading them to cliff edges, with negotiations to extend the derogation always coming down to the wire.

“This latest extension can’t just be more business as usual, kicking the can down the road for another three years as our rivers continue to degrade and our biodiversity is irreparably harmed.

“This latest three-year extension of the nitrates derogation must be used to draw up plans for its total phase out after it expires.”

Fairness

ICSA president Sean McNamara said the decision comes with significant conditionality, some of which will have ramifications beyond those availing of the derogation. “ICSA is concerned about the obligations linked to the Habitats Directive and the potential for catchment-specific restrictions. Drystock farmers must not be hit with blanket measures to solve problems they did not create.”

Mr McNamara said ICSA will be holding the Department to account to ensure all measures are evidence-based, proportionate and targeted. “Improved water quality is a shared goal, but fairness must be at the heart of every decision.”

Shocking

Leading the reaction on behalf of environmentalists, Dr Elaine McGoff, Head of Advocacy with An Taisce described the derogation as "shocking".

“Decisions like this are meant to be based on the science, but the evidence clearly shows Ireland has serious water pollution problem that isn’t getting any better caused largely by agricultural nitrogen. Recent EPA data on water quality is unambiguous. We are going backwards. There are fewer waterbodies at good ecological status now than there were three years ago."

She further accused the State of having ans "abysmal track record of failure" in protecting Irish waterways from agricultural pollution.

"The public is now fed up with this with a recent Ireland Thinks poll indicating that the Irish people overwhelmingly want clean, healthy water, with the majority now not in favour of Ireland seeking another derogation."