Advice on nitrates directive is not included in law, says Teagasc
It said that had this happened, it would have allowed pig farmers access to more grassland farms as an outlet for pig slurry and would have allowed for more flexibility for farmers with less intensive systems of production.
Fine Gael TD Denis Naughten last night said the Environment Minister Dick Roche and Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan have serious questions to answer over the Teagasc statement.
Teagasc said the advice mainly focused on how soil fertility indices and rates of nitrogen and phosphorus use might be applied in the Irish context.
It emphasised the need to ensure that the legal maximum amounts of nutrients would facilitate commercial farming in an environmentally-friendly manner.
It welcomed the chance to provide Ms Coughlan with further scientific information and said this will be carried out as a matter of urgency.
“Farmers with low stocking rates have concerns in relation to restrictions imposed by the nitrogen and phosphorus levels allowed. This concern mainly relates to animal health problems associated with phosphorus deficiency and inadequate feed supply due to the low nitrogen levels allowed,” it said.
The Teagasc Authority said it recognises the difficulties that have arisen in terms of its relationship with farming organisations and farmer stakeholders. It will be meeting with these stakeholders to discuss and resolve these issues.
Meanwhile, a motion of no confidence in Teagasc chief executive Jim Flanagan is understood to have been moved by the IFA’s Ruaidhri Deasy and ruled out of order on legal advice at Tuesday’s Teagasc board meeting.
It was learned yesterday that a fresh motion of no confidence is being submitted for the next board meeting on Wednesday - the day the nitrate regulations are due to come into force.
IFA president Padraig Walshe called on ministers Roche and Coughlan to defer the introduction of the regulations until a proper scientific evaluation takes place.
He said the regulations would decimate the pig and poultry sectors, reverse years of progress and best practice on dairy and beef farms and restrict thousands of farmers in the Rural Environment Protection Scheme.
He described yesterday’s Teagasc statement as vague and general and an attempt to undo the damage already done and said the IFA would lobby politicians at Leinster House next Tuesday to have the introduction of the regulations deferred.
Colm Markey, president, Macra na Feirme, which is supporting the farmer boycott of Teagasc, said while Teagasc had let farmers down it was Mr Roche and his department who had put the regulation in place and had treated the farming community with contempt. Teagasc confirmed its national tillage conference due to be held in Carlow today has been postponed.
The IFA announced the annual potato conference, which it jointly organises with Teagasc, has been cancelled. This was in keeping with its executive council’s decision to withdraw all support for Teagasc.
