ICMSA meeting opens with minister telling farmers that nitrates outcome is 'entirely out of our control'
Government and farm organisations will be among those who will bring a case forward to the commissioner on the need for Ireland to retain its nitrates derogation at 250kg organic nitrogen per hectare. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue hasn't appeared to reassure many concerned dairy farmers on Friday about the future of their enterprises, telling them that the nitrates derogation outcome is "entirely" out of Ireland's "control".
This comes as the Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius is due to visit Ireland next Thursday, November 23, on a nitrates-focused trip.
Government will be among those to make a case to the commissioner on the need for Ireland to retain its nitrates derogation at 250kg organic nitrogen per hectare.
Farmers are already receiving letters this week from the Department of Agriculture advising them that they must reduce from 250kg to 220kg from January 1, 2024.
"This is an issue which has created significant challenges, uncertainty, and difficulty for farmers this year," Mr McConalogue told Friday's Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association AGM.
"We continue to seek any flexibility that may be of help to us.
"While continuing that engagement with the commission, it is prudent we continue to prepare for the move to the lower stocking rate. Most will have already commenced this process by speaking with their advisors and assessing their own individual circumstances.
"My officials have written to farmers to advise how their land will be categorised next year in terms of the maximum derogation stocking rate."
He told farmers that there is no lack of ambition by the Government in retaining the derogation at 250kg; but that the outcome is "entirely out of our control" and is up to the European Commission's decision-making.
He stated that "we certainly don't want any forced cull" of cows in the country, and "we didn't want the situation that's facing us at the moment where almost 3,000 farmers between 220kg and 250kg" are facing the challenge of either reducing their cow numbers or taking in more land to comply with the rules.
Derogation is the topic dominating discussion at the AGM.
ICMSA president Pat McCormack said that along with this, loss of income this year is one of the biggest concerns of farmers, adding that dairy markets "were in free fall in 2023".
"We won't fully blame the politicians for that," Mr McCormack said, however, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister Eamon Ryan who are attending the event "will take the brunt" of the criticism today, he admits.
The "viability of the family farm model" is at threat, Mr McCormack told the , with the ICMSA president saying that the "mood around the country at various county AGMS is that the model is being undermined by every Government and EU decision".
"The time has come to stop undermining. We need support to put in place the measures where we can meet our 25% target from an emissions perspective and indeed improve water quality," Mr McCormack said.
"We need a structure in place to support best practices that farmers can deliver."
Mr McCormack said that food security is a "huge issue".
Irish milk production in volume terms is "in decline; that’s a reflection of the constraints that are coming, it’s probably a reflection of the impact of cow banding as well in 2023 as well as the challenges associated with the market", Mr McCormack said.
He added: "If you look at the age profile of farmers, it’s becoming very hard to get young people coming into the industry and we need to have an industry that provides an economic sustainability.
"There’s a lot of talk about sustainability out there and at times, the economic element is left out and that’s the most critical. If we have economic sustainability, we can deliver."
