Mr. Tom Canning:

I thank Deputy Fitzmaurice for the question. The exact point he made is one of the most frustrating things for farmers and it is really angering them. It is the uncertainty that all of these changes in regulations are bringing about. I am seriously concerned about our ability to hold on to the 220 kg N/ha limit. We can look at the four metrics that were used to assess water quality in 2022 and at the area of Ireland that failed those metrics. As I said, we had one derogation farmer in Leitrim who is often mentioned. He is a client of mine and he is actually out of derogation. Looking at the four metrics, it was virtually impossible to achieve them. We are going to measure water quality in 2024. On 23 November last, at the meeting I attended, the Commissioner stated that stabilisation was needed as regards water quality in Ireland if the country was to retain its derogation. He said the ball was now in our court, we had to address the issue and we had to think outside the box. The Commission, he said, had made its proposals and it was thinking outside the box. We have to support the farmers who are not nitrate compliant or do not have sufficient slurry storage. We need education of farmers and integration. We need a mindset change among our farmers to achieve water quality but we need a period of time in which to do it.

I listened to the comments on the success of ASSAP. I also listened to Mary Roche and a behavioural specialist who spoke at the Teagasc water quality conference a fortnight ago. They said we would get a good uptake of effective mitigation measures if there was interaction and trust with the adviser. This is critical. We are on the ground. We are experienced professionals. With 34 years' experience in this business, I have a fair idea of what I am talking about when it comes to water quality. If I can get engagement with those farmers, we are more likely to see a sea change, management practice changes on the farms, better application to slurry and chemical fertilisers and an improvement in our water quality overall. However, we need time to do it. I question whether we will be able to retain the derogation in two years. If it is to be decided on the basis of water quality improvements in the next two years, I am very fearful about whether we will retain the derogation. That is the uncertainty that is disillusioning our farmers, not only in dairy but across all sectors because this has a knock-on effect for all sectors.