Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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1703.To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated annual value to farmers of the nitrates derogation. [32957/24]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has not estimated the annual value that accrues to farmers through the Nitrates Derogation.

At present 7,200 Irish farmers apply annually to avail of a Nitrates Derogation. The Derogation allows these farmers the flexibility to carry a stocking rate in excess of 170kg livestock manure Nitrogen per hectare, without the export of livestock manure off the holding, subject to compliance with strict environmental criteria.

Given Ireland's unique grass-based system of ruminant livestock production, the Nitrates Derogation is of significant value to the farmers that avail of it as well as the broader rural economy they are part of.