Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The lowering of the nitrates derogation from 250 kg N/ha to 220 kg N/ha will have devastating consequences for clean Irish agriculture. Farmers throughout the country have spent tens of thousands to bring their farms up to environmental standards, with very few of them now falling behind. Despite the huffing and puffing, it looks like the Government has thrown in the towel on fighting to keep the nitrates derogation at 250 kg N/ha, with some political figures accepting that keeping it at 220 kg N/ha is the next challenge. I urge immediate action during today's meeting with the EU environment Commissioner to secure a critical two-year extension of the nitrates derogation. The clock is ticking with more than 2,096 farmers facing the imminent risk of culling cows, including pregnant ones, staring on 1 January, due to the agriculture Minister's failure to secure an extension beyond the current derogation expiration date on 31 December. Farmers now face an agonising choice between downsizing herds or embarking on a costly land acquisition spree to comply with new regulations. Will Ireland succeed in getting a two-year extension for the nitrates derogation at today's critical meeting with the Commissioner?

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