Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)

Thousands of farmers met in Cork last night and they are really angry. They are correct in being angry because the Government has put its head in the sand and pretended that business as usual will be able to continue and that Ireland will be able to retain its nitrates derogation. That is looking more and more unlikely. The reality is we have had the nitrates derogation since 2006. We got it on the basis we would improve our water quality but we have not done it in 20 years. The EU is probably going to tell us the derogation is gone and we will not be able to retain it. Where is the Government's plan B for these farmers? It has led them to a cliff on the nitrates derogation and there will be nothing in place for them come January if that derogation is not retained.

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