Nitrates derogation could see an extension of three years

Progress has been made to secure a nitrates derogation extension for Ireland. Pending approval from member states, an extension of three years has been proposed

Agriculture minister Martin Heydon addressing farmers at an IFA meeting in Corrin Mart in Fermoy on the nitrates derogation earlier this month. Picture: Finbarr O'Rourke

Agriculture minister Martin Heydon on Wednesday said a proposal for a three-year extension for Ireland's nitrates derogation had been made by the European Commission.

Mr Heydon warned the extension was not yet secured and required the approval of member states at the EU Nitrates Committee being held early next month. The extension also comes with stipulations Irish farmers and the department must make significant efforts to meet.

Minister Heydon said: “Securing a continuance of the nitrates derogation has been a key priority for me and the Government as a whole. 

"Following extensive engagement with the European Commissioner for the Environment, Jessika Roswall, including her recent visit to Ireland, I can confirm that the European Commission has proposed a legal text providing for a three-year extension to Ireland’s nitrates derogation, subject to certain conditionality. 

"Approval will now be subject to securing the required approval of member states at the EU Nitrates Committee on 9 December.” 

The requirements include that Ireland must conduct environmental assessments at the catchment level to demonstrate compliance with the Habitats Directive.

“This is a massive undertaking — it will require a significant investment of time and resources to complete these assessments. The commission has agreed to a three-year derogation to facilitate completion of this work,” Mr Heydon said.

“Equally, I am today calling on all stakeholders to re-double their efforts to take the right action in the right place — we must maintain the momentum of action now to ensure that we see continuous improvements in the data for agriculture-related water quality.” 

Mr Heydon said earlier this year the European Commission sought assurance Ireland would demonstrate full compliance with assessment requirements, explaining this assurance was fundamental in securing the proposed extension.

“This has been an intense negotiation, in particular given the additional requirements of the Habitats Directive to be addressed.” 

He stressed an approval was still subject to a vote by member states, which now have time to review the proposal for Ireland ahead of the meeting on December 9.