Tánaiste faces protesting farmers at party think-in

Micheál Martin conceded that dairy farmers will 'bear the brunt' of the EU nitrates derogation, but said that compensation was not being considered

Tanaiste Micheál Martin and Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue speaking to angry farmers from West Cork at the IFA protest. Pictures: John D Kelly

Supports for farmers hit by the nitrates derogation will be examined, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said after a meeting with protesters.

There were heated interactions when Micheál Martin and Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue came out to speak to farmers who parked tractors and mounted a day-long picket outside Fianna Fáil's think-in.

Afterwards, IFA representatives held an hour-long meeting with the politicians in a bid to gain concessions on a European decision to cut a nitrates derogation for Irish farmers.

Speaking after the private meeting, Mr Martin conceded that dairy farmers will “bear the brunt” of the decision, which farmers say could cut their income by up to €40,000 per year.

“We have said we will reflect on our discussions to see what we can do to alleviate the pressures on certain farmers who are in derogation but who have fulfilled a lot of their obligations,” said Mr Martin.

However, he said the Government is not considering compensation. Instead, the conversation will now move to facilitate measures “to organise farming in a way that reduces the impact of the nitrates decision on certain farmers”.

It is understood Mr McConalogue is looking at ways of transferring manure from over-producing farmers to others as a way of spreading out nitrates across the country.

Tanaiste Micheál Martin and Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue speaking to angry farmers from West Cork.

It would mean that those in the dairy sector, who will be impacted by the cut in the nitrates derogation, would be able to stay within the new thresholds by giving some of the manure produced on their farms to the tillage sector instead of spreading it on their own land.

This would also cut the amount of chemical fertiliser used in other forms of agriculture, such as tillage.

However, this suggestion is believed to be at an early stage, and sources warned that transferring manure is not practical in some areas or regions.

A large group of IFA members gathered outside the Horse and Jockey Hotel from early yesterday morning and remained in place throughout the day.

Farmers from South Tipperary and Carrigaline, Co Cork, protesting at the Horse & Jockey.

Mr McConalogue was heckled by the crowds when he suggested that he is always willing to sit down with farming organisations, but said negotiations around the changes due to come into force from January will not be reopened.

“We are doing our very best on all issues,” Mr McConalogue added, to more heckles.

Minister for Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue speaking at the IFA protest.

IFA president Tim Cullinane said: “We lost the beef industry down here, and by God, I’m telling you minister, we’re not going to lose the dairy industry, we’re not going to lose the beef industry or sheep industry or the tillage sector."

Tánaiste Micheál Martin speaks to president of the Irish Farmers Association Tim Cullinan. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

It is understood that Mr Martin expressed stern words with farming representatives during the meeting, correcting a number of criticisms they have made of the Government in recent days.

Mr Martin later told reporters that there is a "clear challenge" in terms of water quality, which has been cited as one of the reasons behind the decision to tighten the rules around nitrates by the EU.

"Climate is going to play havoc with food security in the future and that is why we need a healthy, sustainable farm industry and agricultural industry," he said.