Micheál Martin: ‘Distance to go yet’ as EU signals support for derogation extension

Taoiseach Micheál Martin speaking at the ICMSA AGM. Picture: Zoe Geary

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has welcomed news that the European Commission will recommend Ireland’s nitrates derogation be extended, but warned there is still work to be done.

“We welcome it, but obviously there's some distance to go yet, and obviously there's crucial work ahead of us in terms of this getting through in respect of the decision on December 9,” he told journalists at the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) AGM in Limerick on Friday (November 28).

The Commission has recommended that Ireland’s derogation be extended for another three years. However, the detail — including any potential conditions — will not be published until the matter has been considered by the Nitrates Committee, a process expected to take place in the second week of December.

The news will be significant for ICMSA members. The organisation represents around 18,000 Irish dairy farmers and is marking its 75th anniversary this year.

“We're conscious that other member states will assess the proposal and the recommendation from the Commission, but it's justified in terms of our grass-based system and also the very significant measures that Irish farmers have been taking for quite some time now, developing a more sustainable farm production and dairy production system.

“I know this at first-hand, and have witnessed farmers in terms of the metrics that now take place on farm lands, there will be a lot of work ahead of us over the next number of years.”

The Taoiseach highlighted the work of the Cabinet sub-committee on water quality and ongoing collaboration between ministers James Browne and Martin Heydon.

“So we're conscious of the challenges ahead, and there will be challenges. But that said, no, we have a pathway, and we have a window of opportunity to continue the good work that has been done to ensure a sustainable dairy farming area for the next for the future,” he added.

Asked by journalists whether there would be any conditions, he said: “We have to really demonstrate our commitment to improving water quality and developing systems that enable us to do that in a long-term way. But we now have the time to do that.”

Addressing the AGM, he described the Irish dairy sector as a “critical industry, which Government is very anxious to support”.

“It’s our largest exporting sector, which accounts for 6% of modified gross national income, and 8.6% of merchandise exports - €19bn in all in exports," he said.

He told farmers that while progress had been made on nitrates, challenges remained.

“We will continue to push for the best outcome possible,” he said. “We are the only member state now seeking an extension [of the nitrates derogation].

“I have witnessed how many of our farmers have embraced a lot of measures and taken a lot of measures, and we can see visible improvements in our water quality. But more can be done, and more will have to be done… we will continue to support farmers to reduce impacts on water quality, through a range of initiatives.”