Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this today. I acknowledge the concern among many farmers, particularly those who are more highly stocked. There is a particular concern among medium and small farmers on the impact any change from 250 to 220 would have on them. We had to agree to the mid-term review, and to the fact that 250 could be reduced to 220 in certain catchments if water quality was not improving. I am preparing a case to engage further with the European Commission to see if we can get further flexibility around time to show improvements in water quality. There is no guarantee there will be any change in that. As it stands, the situation is that it could drop to 220 in certain catchments if water trends do not improve.

However, as the Senator said, farmers are taking steps to improve water quality. I am aware of the challenge this could pose to some farmers from the point of view of economic viability. I am engaging with the European Commission to seek further flexibility. There is no doubt of the backdrop here. We have to improve water quality. That is a must. It is also a must, not just from the environmental perspective, but if we are to continue having a nitrates derogation after 2025. I have laid out a situation where by 2025 we may be the only member state that has a derogation. It will become increasingly challenging as a result. It is certainly not something we can by any means take as a given.It is something we will have to prove the case for and we will have to get the consent of other member states to be able to maintain that derogation after 2025.