Department to shortly write to 2,150 farms directly impacted by derogation cut
427 of these holdings farm up to 20 hectares, while 823 are farming between 20 and 60 hectares.
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has said that 2,150 farmers may be directly affected by the nitrates derogation cut.
Based on the land as declared for the 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme, Mr McConalogue has said that a total of 2,150 farmers with a whole farm livestock manure stocking rate of 220kg nitrogen per hectare in 2022 "have at least some land this year in an area that will be limited to a maximum nitrates derogation stocking rate of 220kg" from January 1, 2024.
427 of these holdings farm up to 20 hectares, while 823 are farming between 20 and 60 hectares.
567 holdings are farming between 60 and 100 hectares, and 333 are farming over 100 hectares.
Responding to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil TD for Tipperary Jackie Cahill, Mr McConalogue said: "In early October, my department published an interactive version of the Water Quality Review Implementation Map for 2024.
"This allows farmers to identify whether their holding will be impacted by the reduction in the maximum derogation stocking rate next year.
"To further assist farmers, my department will shortly write to individual farmers that may be directly impacted by this change."
Mr McConalogue noted that full-year stocking rate data for 2023 will not be available until after year-end.
In 2022, the department secured the derogation for farmers from the EU Commission to 2025.
However, due to a number of factors impacting water quality, the implementing decision required a mid-term review of water quality.
"Following this review, I sought maximum flexibility from the EU Commission in relation to the reduction in the maximum limit to 220 kg per hectare," Mr McConalogue said previously.
"When it became clear that it was not possible to change this requirement, I moved quickly to bring clarity to farmers impacted by the reduction from next year."
While the EU Commission made it clear that the criteria set out in the derogation decision would not change, following discussions, "some very limited opportunity for interpretation of the map" was identified.
This process "resulted in the removal of a small amount of land from the area to be reduced to 220kg per hectare, where underlying water quality is good and appropriate action from an agricultural perspective can protect that good water quality status", according to the department.
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