ICMSA has best way to cope with directive
However, a regional approach is certainly substantially better than the current approach being adopted or any other proposal being put forward at this time.
By adopting the regional approach, ICMSA is proposing that farmers in the higher nitrogen areas should be allowed to farm to 250Kg N/ha.
ICMSA believes that a regional approach is the best option for Ireland as it will exclude 70% of the country from the stocking density restrictions. This means that the farmers in these areas will be able to continue with their current stock levels without any stocking restrictions imposed on them. (The 70% figure has been provided by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and is based on EPA water quality data. The figure is backed by scientific evidence).
I wish to state that ICMSA's approach is based on minimising the impact on all farmers and we believe that the regional approach is the best way forward.
There is absolutely no point in imposing a stocking density restriction on farmers where it can be avoided. The Irish Government should be trying to reduce the level of regulation on farmers and ICMSA believes that adopting a regional approach to the Nitrates Directive is the best way to achieve this.
I fully agree with Mr Roche when he says that he cannot afford to cut any stock to comply with an organic nitrogen restriction of 170kg per hectare. No intensive dairy farmer can afford this.
To overcome this problem and this will be a problem whether we adopt a regional or whole country approach ICMSA is proposing that Ireland should apply to allow these farmers to farm up to 250kg N/ha.
Lorcan McCabe,
Chairperson,
ICMSA Farm Services and Environment Committee,
Edenagully,
Baileboro,
Co Cavan.
