New map confirms derogation cut area

Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said he recognises it is a “challenging outcome for some farmers".

Thousands of Irish dairy farmers remain set to be hit by the new tighter nitrates derogation limit, as the "final implementation map" published this week by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine shows most of the country remains included in the zoned area, which will come into effect in the new year.

While the European Commission was clear that its derogation decision would not change, the department identified a limited opportunity to amend the interpretation of the map.