Press release
Minister to meet farm organisations on payments and nitrates
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
In recognition of the importance of scheme payments and the timing of their issue to farmers, and to update farmers on recent discussions with the European Commission on the Nitrates Derogation, Minister Charlie McConalogue has invited representatives from each of the farm bodies to a meeting on Thursday 7 September to discuss both issues and listen to farmer concerns.
Minister McConalogue said:
“I recognise how important payments are to farmers and in this regard, we have committed - through the Farmers Charter - to explore, for 2024, bringing payment dates back in line with the previous programme when the technological and administrative challenges brought about by the new CAP programme have been fully addressed. I want to reiterate to the farm organisations that the government and my department is fully committed to making payments to farmers under the various schemes at the earliest date possible and to the maximum number of farmers possible.
"In relation to the Nitrates, I made a strong case to Commissioner Sinkevicius for the retention of Ireland’s 250 kg/ha derogation until the next review. However, he made it clear that there is no prospect of re-visiting the current decision. This meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss with farm organisations how critical it is that farmers manage their holdings within the derogation limits applying from 1st January next year and the support that my department can offer."