Farming: Minister Heydon outlines progress on Ireland’s nitrates derogation request

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has outlined progress in relation to Ireland’s request for an extension to the nitrates derogation.

Minister Heydon commented: “Securing a continuance of the nitrates derogation has been a key priority for me and the Government as a whole. Following extensive engagement with the European Commissioner for the Environment, Jessika Roswall, including her recent visit to Ireland, I can confirm that the European Commission has proposed a legal text providing for a three-year extension to Ireland’s nitrates derogation, subject to certain conditionality.

“Approval will now be subject to securing the required approval of Member States at the EU Nitrates Committee on December 9.” 

Requirements include the need for Ireland to conduct environmental assessments at catchment level to demonstrate compliance with the Habitats Directive.

“This is a massive undertaking – it will require a significant investment of time and resources to complete these assessments,” Minister Heydon said. “The Commission has agreed to a three-year derogation to facilitate completion of this work.” 

He called on all stakeholders to re-double their efforts to take “the right action in the right place”.

“We must maintain the momentum of action now to ensure that we see continuous improvements in the data for agriculture-related water quality.” 

The Minister added: “Ireland has a very sustainable, outdoor, grass-based production system in milk and meat products and satisfies all of the conditions as set out in the directive to justify a nitrates derogation.

“My Department, in cooperation with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has been working diligently to provide all the necessary material and assurances to the Commission, which were required to underpin the development of this proposal.” 

In June this year, the European Commission sought assurances that Ireland would demonstrate full compliance with the assessment requirements of the Habitats Directive. The provision of this assurance was fundamental to agreeing a pathway forward with the Commission.

Minister Heydon continued: “This has been an intense negotiation, in particular given the additional requirements of the Habitats directive to be addressed. I want to recognise the visit of Commissioner Roswall and her engagement with farmers, including her visit to a family farm, her engagement with stakeholders and with members of the Oireachtas and European Parliament.” 

The Minister added: “This draft decision is still subject to a vote of Member States, and we have to respect the sensitivity and confidentiality of this process. Other Member States will now have time to review this proposal before it is due to be brought forward for a vote at the Nitrates Committee on December 9.

“I should stress that this is an expert committee, and they will be examining the technical details of the proposal. My Department will continue to engage with European counterparts on these details.

“I will continue to engage with stakeholders including the farm organisations as we go forward,” the Minister added.