Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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205. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the review of the nitrates derogation; and when it will be completed. [7639/19]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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206. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he will ensure the sustainable continuation of the derogation at 250kg/Org N as stated recently. [7640/19]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together.

The nitrates derogation enables farmers to exceed the 170 kg livestock manure nitrogen limit (2 Dairy cows per Ha) up to a maximum of 250 kg N/ ha ( less than 3 Dairy cows per Ha) subject to adherence with specific additional environmental requirements and is an important facility for more intensive farmers. With 6,900 applicants in 2018 farming 466,000 ha, derogation farms have become a very significant intensive farming cohort over recent years, the area farmed under derogation having increased by 40% from 2014 to 2018. In addition, Dairy cow numbers increased by c. 340,000 by 2018 compared to 2010; chemical N & P usage has increased by c. 10 % in 2017 and in 2018.

Against this background, the environmental impact from the increased livestock numbers and fertiliser use has been highlighted recently by the EPA in terms of deterioration in river water quality and an increase in GHG agricultural emissions in 2017. Furthermore ammonia emission levels are increasing and exceeding the national emission threshold of 116 KT.

The increased environmental pressures highlight the need for additional engagement with intensive farmers. Consequently a review of the derogation conditions takes place this year in consultation with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (DHPLG), the Department with responsibility for the Nitrates regulations and under which the derogation is made available.

An expert group has been established specifically for this task. The Group is jointly chaired by DHPLG and DAFM and comprises senior scientific experts from DHPLG, DAFM, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Teagasc. This group will review and recommend opportunities for derogation farmers to increase their environmental contribution and sustainability credentials.

To inform the review, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (DHPLG) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) will publish a consultation paper and invite submissions from interested parties and the public over a 6 week period in early Spring.

The recommendations of this review will be subsequently considered in the context of ensuring a sustainable derogation going forward.