250kg stocking rate under nitrates derogation 'has to be fought for'

A reduction in the maximum stocking rate to 220kg under the nitrates derogation would be “detrimental” for farms.

Dairy farmer Joe Deane with National Dairy Council chief executive Zoe Kavanagh and ICOS chief executive TJ Flanagan during a panel discussion on nitrates. Picture: Alison Miles / OSM PHOTO

The 250kg nitrates derogation will have “to be fought for”, farmers stressed at a recent conference in Co Cork.

Speaking at the conference, Cork dairy farmer Joe Deane said farmers feared being “strangled with regulation before new science and technology has the chance to be implemented to combat the challenges facing the industry”.