PROGRESS IN NITRATES REVIEW – IFA

IFA President John Bryan has acknowledged the delivery of a number of IFA’s demands in the review of the nitrates regulations, and the significant changes that have been secured. However, farmers would be disappointed at the failure to alter the inflexible calendar farming regime and the full ban on winter ploughing was not lifted. He said that Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture will have to work together to provide the necessary science to address these outstanding issues.

Welcoming the continuation of the nitrates derogation for the dairy and livestock sectors John Bryan said, “The 5,000 farmers who avail of the nitrates derogation each year will deliver the future growth of the sector identified in the Food Harvest 2020 strategy. It was essential that the Government accepted IFA’s case and continued this derogation.”

He said, “The continuation for the pigs and poultry sectors of the phosphorous provision recognises the importance the industry and will ensure that these vital export sectors remain competitive.”

“The changes in nitrogen application rates for spring malting barley are positive in sustaining the industry, but it should also be extended to cover our largest arable crop, spring feeding barley.”

The IFA President expressed grave disappointment that the calendar farming issue had not been addressed and he said there was no justification for the increased buffer zone.