Farmers to protest at Fianna Fáil think-in over nitrates derogation

Alterations would see farmers lose €40,000 each year

IFA president Tim Cullinan has accused Minister Charlie McConalogue, right, of not being in control of his department. Picture: Finbarr O’Rourke

Negotiations on changes to a nitrates derogation which could see farmers lose €40,000 each year will not be reopened, the Agriculture Minister has stated.

Farmers are due to protest outside Fianna Fáil's think-in being held in Horse and Jockey, Co Tipperary on Monday after the EU Commission decided that more relaxed rules around the spreading manure will be tightened from January.

IFA president Tim Cullinan has hit out at Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael for "sacrificing farmers to stay in power" and accused Minister Charlie McConalogue of not being in control of his department.

The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) has also criticised the Government for "selling out" famers, adding that the dairy sector is now in a "very dangerous place".

Thousands of dairy farmers could be forced to reduce herds in the next four months or spend money to acquire extra land in order to meet the new increased limits.

Mr McConalague said the changes will be "challenging" for farmers, but the decision to cut the derogation from next year has been made at a European level.

"Let me be clear, the decision has been made by the Commission, the Commissioner has been very, very clear on this that there will be no reopening or statutory amendment to our derogation," he said.

Mr McConalague insisted that he has been "fighting the corner" on behalf of Irish farmers in Europe, however, he said water quality has not been improving in the past decade and this has been a significant factor in negotiations.

"We haven't been meeting the standards set under the nitrates directive for all member states," he said, adding that we are one of only three states that now has a nitrates derogation.

"That negotiation and renegotiation - it has been renegotiated every four years - of that derogation was much more difficult in the context of us not meeting our improved water quality obligations," he told RTÉ radio.

The minister also warned that there is no guarantee that Ireland will keep the derogation after 2025.

Mr Cullinane said the IFA had put forward a "very credible proposal" around nitrates and called on Mr McConalogue to invite EU Commission officials to Ireland to see firsthand the farming system in this country.

"We do not want the destruction of an industry that employs 170,000 people right around this country."

He added: "A farmer with 100 cows could lose 15% of his herd or 15 cows and, in direct income, this could be anything between €30,000 to 40,000 per year in direct income alone. 

"I'm speaking here about farmers who have borrowed a lot of money invested in their businesses."

Mr Cullinane also criticised the fact that Mr McConalogue's discussion with the commissioner was a virtual one, insisting the minister should have gone to Brussels to make the case in person.