Ireland’s existing exemption is set to expire on January 1, 2026, and the derogation level will be reduced to 220kg/ha in some regions on January 1, 2024, owing to insufficient improvement in water quality.
Dairy farmers risk a large reduction in cow numbers as government discussions with the EU to retain existing stocking rate standards seem to be failing.
It comes as proposed curbs to Ireland’s Nitrates derogation, which allows farmers to keep more livestock on their property, are poised to be implemented owing to decreasing water quality in recent years.
Thousands of dairy farmers who use the exemption will be obliged to seek access to additional land or reduce their cow numbers in order to comply with the requirements, according to the judgment.
Approximately 7,000 farmers benefit from the exemption, and the Department believes that approximately 3,000 farmers weigh between 220kg and 250kg and will therefore be impacted by the 220kg limit.
The IFA estimates that the loss to the rural economy would be €236 million, but the effect on the damaged family farms will be even more catastrophic.
However, environmental organizations have long pushed for the abolition of the exception owing to worsening water quality in our rivers, lakes, and estuaries, with the EPA blaming agriculture as the primary cause.
However, there is “no prospect” of reopening the present Commission decision granting Ireland an exception from the normal Nitrates Directive requirements, according to EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkeviius.
Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, stated in a statement today that he met with the EU Commissioner this week to address the issue.
“The Commissioner stated unequivocally that Ireland is one of only three remaining member states with a derogation, and that there is no prospect of revisiting the current decision.”
Referring to the meeting, Minister McConalogue stated that he made a strong case to Commissioner Sinkevicius for the continuation of Ireland’s 250kg/ha derogation until the next review, citing Ireland’s unique grass-based agricultural system, the measures farmers had already taken to improve water quality, and the need for more time to see the results of these measures in our water quality indicators.
“Some very minor adjustments to the current mapping based on scientific parameters may be possible, but these are unlikely to affect the vast majority of derogation farmers.” Over the following several weeks, my Department will investigate this and consult with the Agriculture Water Quality Stakeholders Working Group.
“It is critical that derogation farmers, with the assistance of their advisors, make the necessary arrangements to manage their holdings within the derogation limits that will apply on January 1 of next year.” To aid with this work, my Department will be sending N and P Statements to farmers soon.
“In the meantime, we must continue to do everything possible to improve water quality in order to make a credible case for the derogation’s renewal in 2026.”
The EU’s Nitrates Directive allows for the use of up to 170kg of organic nitrogen per hectare. In some cases, the Directive permits for a time-limited exception from these restrictions.
Currently, Ireland’s exemption allows for up to 250kg per hectare on ‘derogation’ farms. These are more intensively stocked farms that use a variety of extra measures beyond conventional criteria to limit the risk to water quality. They vary in size from small to bigger farms throughout the nation.
Ireland’s existing exemption is set to expire on January 1, 2026, and the derogation level will be reduced to 220 kg/ha in some regions on January 1, 2024, owing to insufficient improvement in water quality.
The Minister stated that his Department will continue to support farmers as we continue on the journey to reduce nutrient loss to water through measures such as the €60 million investment in an initiative Water European Innovation Project (EIP) specifically to support farmers and the Targeted Agricultural Measures (TAMS) Scheme.
Teagasc and the private advisory service will also continue to play an important role in assisting farmers via the advice they offer, he added.
