Habitats report a stark contrast to nitrates decision

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Amid mounting biodiversity loss we still have no plan for dealing with invasive rhododendron.

Earlier this month, Ireland was granted another three-year extension to its derogation from the nitrates directive, an EU law in place since 1991 to protect water quality from farm pollution. 

Agriculture minister Martin Heydon told the Dáil in November that “the nitrates derogation has been my number one priority since I was appointed minister” and hailed the decision this week as a “good news day for Irish agriculture”.