Nitrate directive ‘unlikely to improve’

Leinster: The final action plan on the controversial nitrate directive is likely to show little change from the draft plan published by the Department of Agriculture and Environment last December, according to Mairead McGuinness, Fine Gael European election candidate for the East Leinster constituency.

She also revealed the EU Commission is opposed to any derogation above the legal limit of 170kg organic nitrogen per hectare (two dairy cows or equivalent per hectare) for farmers in areas where water quality is deemed to be poor.

“Teagasc research shows farmers can farm at much more intensive levels than two cows per hectare without any risk to the environment.