ICMSA meeting opens with minister telling farmers that nitrates outcome is 'entirely out of our control'

Government and farm organisations will be among those who will bring a case forward to the commissioner on the need for Ireland to retain its nitrates derogation at 250kg organic nitrogen per hectare. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue hasn't appeared to reassure many concerned dairy farmers on Friday about the future of their enterprises, telling them that the nitrates derogation outcome is "entirely" out of Ireland's "control".

This comes as the Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius is due to visit Ireland next Thursday, November 23, on a nitrates-focused trip.