Farmers need an on-site consultant for new fertiliser rules, former Fianna Fáil TD says

The chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture said something must change, so that on January 1 farmers will know exactly what they can do for that year

Jackie Cahill: 'We are after having one of the most difficult springs in living memory. An awful lot more meal concentrate has been fed to cows this winter than has been done in previous winters.' Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Farmers now almost need a consultant on site nearly all the time to make sure they are not in breach of fertiliser regulations, says Jackie Cahill, the former Fianna Fáil TD and chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture who has been appointed chairman of the National Milk Agency.

“There are so many rules now around derogation and nitrates. In my experience, the department itself does not fully understand all the rules and regulations in place.