Mr. Bill Callanan:

On the issue of fertiliser reductions, I think the Deputy is right that the high prices initiated it. However, if you look at the evidence over the last couple of years that has become more embedded. We were at 408,000 tonnes in 2018. It dropped to 280,000. It is 310,000 for 2024. It will likely go up this year somewhat. Indications are that way. When you look at that relative to where we were in 2018, however, I think farmers have become more judicious in their usage. It has prompted a rethink in terms of the capacity to grow grass without as much chemical fertiliser. We in the Department have facilitated it. When you need to grow you need some type of fertilisation, so how much can you use from slurry? We have improved grant aid towards slurry storage. The facilitation of low-emission spreading increases the efficiency of that slurry. Regulatory change has also driven farmers towards better usage. That has all enabled the lower chemical fertiliser figure. We also have a number of schemes that embedded. Red clover, multispecies and other actions have facilitated that transition, which has become more embedded, albeit likely to fluctuate year on year.

On the nitrates derogation, I have always cautioned on a view that the nitrates derogation is in any way a control on the national herd. It is not. That is quite simply because the nitrates directive is clear. It is a limit on the amount of manure applied. It is nothing to do with the number of animals. By way of example, every sector in the country is subject to nitrates. Your pig herd would traditionally have a high stocking density. What is required there is adequate land to recycle the nutrient under the nitrates directive, rather than it being a cap on the total numbers.