Lakeland Dairies’ senior management intend to be “on the ground in Europe meeting MEPs over the next few months” to communicate what impact the uncertainty surrounding the nitrates derogation is having on rural Ireland.
That is according to the co-op’s group chief executive officer (CEO) Colin Kelly who told Agriland that he believes “the time to fight for the nitrates derogation is now”.
“There is no point looking back in 18 months time and saying why didn’t we as a co-op do more? The time to fight for our farmers is now.
“We will be on the ground in Europe, particularly as we move into a period of significant elections, meeting MEPs. This is very much a Lakeland Dairies initiative – it is ultimately about representing our members.
“We need to get a result from the derogation perspective,” Kelly said.
Derogation
He believes it is crucial that “by the end of 2025 everybody in power in Europe understands that Ireland has a slightly unique model and is very deserving of the derogation that exists today and ultimately we need that derogation to protect livelihoods of all dairy farmers on this island”.
“If there is no derogation it will be catastrophic – 800 Lakeland farms out of 2000 are in derogation in the south.
“We want to make sure our members’ fears are represented to the people they need to be represented to across Europe and making sure that people in power in Europe fully understand the impact their proposals could have on rural Ireland.
“We’ve been engaging with local TDs, councilors and MEPs and we will be in Europe over the next number of months, we will be spending more time in Europe,” Kelly added.
According to the co-op more than 90% of Lakeland Dairies’ farm family suppliers have signed up to its Sustainability Incentive Payment scheme since it was launched last November.
It said that farmers have chosen “nearly 12,000 sustainability measures” which include the adoption of protected urea and water quality planning.
By carrying out a range of sustainable actions and measures, farmers receive a 0.5c/L or 0.5p/L payment which Lakeland Dairies has said is “designed to reward farmers for implementing positive actions on their farm”.
The co-op said the payment scheme also aims to “emphasise our commitment to the long-term, sustainable prosperity of our farm families”.