Denis Drennan of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association has warned that the conditions attached to Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation are “unworkable”.
Drennan, the association’s deputy president, called on Charlie McConalogue, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, to intervene. He wants McConalogue to insist on the level of practicality required to achieve the overall aims and support the more than 6 000 family farms making use of the derogation.
The Nitrates Derogation allows more intensive farmers to operate at a higher stocking rate than that stipulated in the Nitrates Directive. However, this is subject to adherence to stricter rules to be implemented by the Agriculture Department.
Farmers may exceed the 170kg limit of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare set down in the Nitrates Regulations. The derogation allows them to farm up to 250kg livestock manure nitrogen per hectare. Importantly, for a Nitrates Derogation application to be valid, all terms and conditions must be adhered to.
According to Drennan, under the proposals, an individual could be farming to an exceptionally high environmental standard but suffer the consequences of the actions of others. For example, if water quality in a town sewage system deteriorates, they might have to drastically reduce stock numbers from 2023. And if they make an error under their 2022 derogation, they will not be able to apply for the 2023 derogation. A good example is a farmer trying to incorporate clover into their sward, as they are encouraged to do. Because the sward is compacted they have to plough it in. However, ploughing a field is banned until after May 31.
Drennan again emphasised the need for the conditions attached to derogations to be workable, fair and in line with other government policies.