Proposed nitrates changes will benefit farmers, insists minister

THE changes to the nitrates regulations proposed to the European Commission by Environment Minister Dick Roche will be of major benefit to Irish farmers, according to Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan.

She said the changes will ensure much-improved flexibility for farmers in complying with fertiliser limits and will deliver a significant level of simplification in understanding the nitrates requirements.

Ms Coughlan said she believed the revised fertiliser limits will ensure the appropriate balance between crop requirements and optimum fertiliser application.