Mr. Jack Nolan:

Mr. Flynn is correct. The figures we have produced are an accurate reflection of what is on the ground. Since 1993, at the time of the first rural environment protection scheme, REPS, we used a limit of 85 kg. That was revised in 2019 to 89 kg to reflect the type of cow that is in Ireland now. A total of 12% of milk is produced at the low band by 24% of suppliers, but two thirds of suppliers are in the middle band and about 11% are in the high band with 17% of the milk. The Commission asked us whether all cows in Ireland are the same size and why, in Denmark or the Netherlands, there is variation, and in the UK, there were bands as well, whereas we stuck with a single figure. This is a much more accurate reflection of what is on the ground. If we did not go down this road, we would end up increasing the nitrogen excretion rate every year because it is based on milk yield. The limit is 89 kg now. It would increase to 92 kg, however, and within a year or two, it would be 94 kg and everybody would have to change. This way, people will be able to look at their system and see where they will slot in. The Department will be able to make that information available to them and they will be able to plan around it. It is a much more accurate reflection of what is happening on the ground.