Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 14 September 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Nitrates Derogation and Nitrates Action Programme: Discussion

Photo of Tim LombardTim Lombard (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the witnesses to the committee. It is important that they bring up this timely issue regarding the nitrates action plan and how it could have a huge impact on rural Ireland in particular. Mr. McCormack mentioned banding. The nitrates issue comes down to several issues, namely, that we will potentially reduce our nitrates by 250 kg to 220 kg, which will take a rotation out of the majority of farms. That will have a huge affect on the stocking rate of the majority of farms. There was a debate a few months ago regarding climate change and where we will be regarding potentially reducing stock numbers. If this goes wrong, this will be a cull on the national herd. That is effectively what will happen if banding comes in, as well as the reduction of the nitrates action plan, which will bring nitrogen down to 220 kg. Throughout the country, that reduction on dairy herds will see anything up to 15% of the herd being wiped away.

Dairy farmers throughout the entire country could see up to 15% of their herds wiped out between now and 2025. The timelines are crucial.

I am interested in the witnesses' interactions with the Department. There have been major changes in the Department over the past six to eight months. Are they happy with the level of information they are receiving regarding, for example, the volume of organic nitrogen being used? Are they happy with the statement that is issued on a six-monthly basis? It was issued yesterday for the first time. Are they happy that the farming community has been kept informed of these issues and has enough information for this year? I have a great fear that we do not have enough information on nitrates, given that the figures were only published yesterday.

I am also interested in the future. We have had industrial levels of investment in production. If we were to have a 15% cut in the national herd, which is potentially what is required, do the witnesses believe the stainless steel industry will stand still, with nothing happening? Has there been investment in manufacturing plants that might not get enough raw materials to do its job?

The most important point made today is on the economic impact this will have on the entire rural economy. In a town such as Bandon, or any other town in rural Ireland, the economic effect could be enormous. We need to get a figure for what it could mean for rural Ireland.