Dept Using Nitrates Review as Trojan Horse

In response to today’s Teagasc Signpost webinar on the Nitrates review, IFA President Tim Cullinan said the Government cannot use the Nitrates review to introduce measures that are more to do with delivering climate policy objectives, than improving water quality.

“I am deeply troubled by the blatant attempt by the Department to use this Nitrates Review to deliver on other policy objectives.  The objective of the Nitrates review is to introduce measures to protect and improve water quality.  If there are wider benefits to climate and biodiversity, this is welcome. However, the Department is now using the Nitrates review as a Trojan horse to implement other measures,” he said. 

He said the Government must undertake a cost-benefit analysis to understand the economic cost of the proposed measures and the associated improvement to water quality before the viability of more family farms is undermined, with little improvement to water quality.

“There needs to be full negotiation with farmers around all these measures. These kite-flying exercises dressed up as a consultation process are frustrating and angering farmers,” he said.

IFA Environment Chairman Paul O’Brien said the proposed measures to cover slurry stores or the use of LESS have little to do with improving water quality, but more to do with reducing agriculture emissions. 

“The review must focus on supporting farmers to improve water quality.  It must not be used as a vehicle for the Government to renege on its responsibility to support farmers in the low carbon transition,” he said.

IFA Dairy Chairman Stephen Arthur said it was infuriating that the Department would think it’s acceptable to place a such a financial burden on farms under the proposed soiled water storage and management because of their inability to manage compliance.  

Tim Cullinan said that IFA had sought an urgent meeting with Minister McConalogue and will be making a submission to the Nitrate Action Programme review.