Press release
Minister McConalogue: Nitrates derogation - “a top priority with engagement on multiple fronts”
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, Charlie McConalogue, said:
“The recent EPA Report on the outcome of the two-year water quality review - that was required as a condition of Irelands current derogation – yielded a hugely disappointing result considering the efforts of the agricultural sector and puts our challenge into stark reality.
"In 2022, the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine secured a new Nitrates Derogation for Ireland covering the period 2022-2025. Due to declines in Irish water quality since the last derogation was negotiated in 2017, these difficult negotiations resulted in increased conditionality being attached to the derogation in response.
"Ireland’s water quality is good relative to most EU Member States. While Irish farmers are engaging with this increased conditionality to reduce the loss of nutrients to water, unfortunately the levels of nutrients in many of our waters remain too high."
Minister McConalogue continued:
“Officials from both my department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage continue to engage with the Commission in respect of the EPA report and its impact on the Nitrates Action Programme. They have invited officials to Ireland to see actions being taken on the ground. These actions include those being taken by farmers as well as investment by the State including the recently announced €60 million investment by Government in an Innovation Programme on water quality and the ongoing work of the ASSAP programme."
The Minister highlighted that:
"achieving improvements in water quality is a top priority for me with engagement on multiple fronts. My recent investment of €60 million, in partnership with Minister O’Brien, is evidence of my commitment to working collaboratively with farmers and the sector on this priority.
“And while my officials are actively engaging with the Commission to seek flexibility, the first step was to engage with those impacted. To advance this, the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group which has been intensively meeting over recent weeks, met again this week.
"At this meeting, stakeholders were asked to submit views regarding flexibilities that they felt should be sought in terms of the Commission requirement to reduce the limit for derogation farmers from 250 kg livestock manure N/ha to 220 kg per ha.
"I know how important the derogation is to those who use it and I want to ensure that it is protected and maintained. We must work together to secure productive, efficient stocking rates for Irish farmers for the years ahead.”