Farm lobby dismayed at EU reaction to nitrates directive plan

Ray Ryan, Agribusiness Correspondent

Ireland’s action programme was submitted to the commission last October and the following month a detailed scientific case was made to Brussels in support of a derogation to allow farmers to operate, under appropriate conditions, above the general organic nitrogen limit specified in the EU directive.

However, the commission has responded that the action programme as submitted does not represent a complete and compliant response to a European Court of Justice judgment last March and that modifications and further actions are necessary.