Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to discuss ‘Compliance with the Nitrates Directive: Implications for Ireland’

The meeting at 5.30pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will hear from representatives from the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA), the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) and Macra na Feirme.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Jackie Cahill said: “The decision last year by the European Environment Commissioner to reduce the derogation under the Nitrates Directive from 250kg to 220kg per hectare was met with disappointment across the Irish agriculture sector, including by this Committee. We are all committed to improving Ireland’s water quality in line with the objectives of the Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) and Irish farmers have made huge efforts in this regard.

“Genuine concerns exist among farmers at this decision by the EU Commission and how compliance with the maximum stocking rate of 220kg organic nitrogen will impact them. These include the economic and social effects on farms and farming families, whether the NAP is fit for purpose in terms of improving water quality, and if additional supports and resources are required to ensure farmers can be compliant with the action programme. The Committee looks forward to discussing these and related matters with the representatives of the ICMSA, IFA and Macra.”

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.