Agriculture minister praises West Cork village for 'great work' in improving water quality

Senator Noel O’Donovan said the reduction to derogation stocking rate affected areas of his Cork South-West constituency 

Senator Noel O’Donovan said most of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) water sampling for testing takes place in Courtmacsherry bay. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Farmers in West Cork have posed a ‘Timoleague Teaser’ for agriculture minister Martin Heydon over the nitrates derogation.

They have been farming to a stocking rate of 250 kg N/ha, but the Department of Agriculture recently revealed this is to be reduced to 220 kg N/ha for some areas in December.