Nitrates Directive move by Coughlan

IRELAND is likely to seek special EU permission from the European Commission for slurry storage grant aid to farms with fewer than 20 livestock units, if they have to invest in extra capacity in order to comply with the Nitrates Directive.

Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan told the Dáil that amendments to the waste management scheme must await resolution of Nitrates Directive discussions with the EU.

Replying to Seymour Crawford, TD (FG), the Minister said the 20 livestock units issue is a European matter.

“It is unfortunate. There is a view that such holdings are not viable farming enterprises. The directive has nothing to do with that. It is about water quality. It does not matter if one has two cows or 200. This is a water quality issue. I will put forward the view to the Commission that we must address the water quality issues, not the income viability of farming enterprises.”