Teagasc in bid to allay fears over nitrates directive

THE Board of the State farm advisory service, Teagasc, met yesterday in a bid to appease farmers’ rage at the new nitrates directive aimed at reducing the effects of water pollution.

A report by Teagasc scientific staff, still being fine tuned before the Minister for Agriculture’s approval is sought, is expected to give more flexibility to farmers.

“The document was well received by the authority, who made a number of observations on its content and asked the scientists to clarify some aspects of the submission. A sub-committee of the authority will meet this Thursday to consider these clarifications. The document is expected to be finalised at the next scheduled meeting of the Teagasc Authority on March 1,” Teagasc stated.

Despite IFA criticism, Teagasc chairman, Dr Tom O’Dwyer said the recommendations contained in the scientific report “would resolve many of the difficulties farmers had with the newly introduced limits on the use of farm manure”.

This new document recommends revised phosphorous levels for low index soils, which if adopted would have no detrimental consequences for the quality of waterways, Teagasc said.

“The phosphorous fertilisation levels proposed for grassland take account of the nutritional needs of the ruminant animals as well as the crops requirements, and the protection of water quality.

“For farms with low stocking rates, new limits on nitrogen fertiliser applications are recommended, which would provide greater flexibility for the farmer, while ensuring that the nitrate levels in waterways meet environmental standards,” said Teagasc.

Farmers with low stocking rates have expressed concerns in relation to restrictions imposed by the nitrogen and phosphorus levels allowed. This relates to animal health problems associated with phosphorus deficiency and inadequate feed supply due to the low nitrogen levels allowed.