Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has made a commitment to farmers that he will “do whatever can be done” to retain Ireland’s nitrates derogation.
Harris made it clear to attendees at the national meeting of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) today (Tuesday, November 12) that the nitrates derogation can be retained and that it “must not be left to the agriculture sector”.
He spoke to farmers ahead of the general election, and said that the derogation is an “absolute national asset” on which a sector of the economy depends on and that he “support farmers” in maintaining it.
However, Harris added that there also needs to be improvements from other sectors, including Irish Water, municipal waste systems and forestry.
“If I am the Taoiseach in the next government, I will personally chair a cabinet committee on water quality. It will pull everyone together to steer the national effort to retain the nitrates derogation, because this is too important for any one department on its own,” Harris said.
He said that keeping the derogation will depend on both “science and politics”, and that from a political perspective, there is a need to “work together” at an EU level.
“I’m so sick of the argument, ‘are you with the climate or are you with the farmers?’, you can be with both.
“We have to be united in realising the unique potential for food security, biodiversity, and farmers willingness and proven track record to deliver on lowering emissions,” Harris said.
Simon Harris
Harris said that if given the chance he will “absolutely have the backs of farmers” and that the agricultural sector is “extraordinarily important” to Fine Gael.
He echoed the Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin’s earlier comments on the Mercosur trade deal. Harris said that it could not be “accepted or supported in its current form”.
Harris added that trade deals are welcome, but that accepting produce of a “lower standard” would not be fair on European farmers.
Farmers at the meeting raised the issue of bovine tuberculosis (TB) with Harris, in which he said there needs to be a “clear programme” and “open approach” in that area.
He said that the government needs to accept that it is “moving backwards” on TB and see what Ireland can learn from other countries on how their strategies are working.