'Huge consequences' for farmers as meeting with commissioner fails to change nitrates outcome

Today's meeting failed to change the outcome of the commission's decision on the nitrates derogation reduction from 250kg organic nitrogen per hectare to 220kg in Ireland, despite Government and farm organisations making a case for flexibility.

"We were very clear with the commissioner that we are very proud of our grass-based production system which is the basis for our derogation," Tim Cullinan said.

He said that the mid-term water quality review agreed upon by the department was "unfair, and did not give any time for the measures underway to have a positive effect on water quality".

'Little impact'

IFA national environment chairman Paul O’Brien, who also attended the meeting, said the reality is that reducing the upper limit of the derogation from 250kg to 220kg will have "little impact on water quality".

"It will, however, have huge consequences for the farmers directly impacted and for thousands more farmers indirectly impacted, as it will further increase the cost of rented land. We stressed this very strongly to the commissioner," Mr O'Brien said.

In addition, it is clear that it is completely unreasonable to expect farmers to reduce their stocking rate to 220kg by the end of this year, which is less than six weeks away.

"Farmers made the decision to put their cows in calf last spring before any decision was taken. It is unreasonable and not in line with good animal welfare to now expect farmers to cull these in-calf cows."

Water quality stabilisation

President of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association Pat McCormack said that Thursday's meeting with the commissioner was "useful", and that the onus is now on the Government to support measures aimed at water quality stabilisation.

Mr McCormack said that if water quality stabilised then Ireland could keep its derogation going forward. 

Mr McCormack said that he has "no doubt whatsoever that the incidence of water problems rightly or wrongly attributed to farming would fall", and that the trend "was already apparent and would continue".

'Critical point'

The Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) and the Environmental Pillar also attended the meeting, where they "impressed upon Commissioner Sinkevičius that we have reached a critical point in tackling water quality in Ireland", said An Taisce’s Elaine McGoff, who is a SWAN vice-chairwoman and steering committee member of the Environmental Pillar.

"The derogation in its current form allows for a higher stocking rate than that which is normally allowed under the Nitrates Directive," Ms Goff said.

The excess nitrogen from intensive, heavily stocked farms is already polluting our water, and the derogation allows for yet further intensification and more nitrogen loading on already polluted catchments. 

"It adds further fuel to the fire, and it’s having a detrimental effect on water quality and wildlife in Ireland."

She added that it is now up to the Government to put in place a "well-formulated plan, based on the full picture of Ireland’s water quality provided by the comprehensive catchment data produced by the Environmental Protection Agency, to assist and support farmers in managing their holdings under the new derogation limits".