Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has received a number of reports prepared by Teagasc that he said will inform the next Nitrates Action Programme (NAP).

These documents are part of the work to secure the continuation of Ireland's nitrates derogation, the minister said.

The reports were prepared at the minister's request, and were presented at a meeting of the Agriculture Water Quality Group yesterday (Wednesday, September 3).

They include:

Environmental and economic modelling of the impact of adjustments in the maximum stocking rates permitted under Ireland's nitrates derogation;
An environmental and economic assessment on the impact of possible reductions in the maximum chemical nitrogen allowances for all grassland stocking rates;
An environmental and economic assessment on the impact of possible reductions in the maximum chemical nitrogen allowances for main arable crops;
Improving slurry nutrient distribution on dairy farm holdings;
Slurry and dairy soiled water volumes estimates - Final Data Summary.

These reports are due to be published on the Teagasc website.

Minister Heydon commented: "I very much welcome the constructive stakeholder engagement that took place...around these reports, which underscores the importance of Ireland's nitrates derogation to our rural economy and will inform future policy, as well as ongoing discussions, at a national and European level.

Ireland's current Nitrates Action Programme and nitrates derogation both expire at the end of this year.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to develop Ireland’s next Nitrates Action Programme, which is due to run from 2026 to 2029.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, there is significant on-going "all-of-government" engagement to secure Ireland’s next nitrates derogation.

Minister Heydon added: "To succeed in securing a sustainable future for Irish agriculture, it is vital that our policies are underpinned by the best available science.

"I am reflecting on the constructive engagement and stakeholders' views outlined at [yesterday's] meeting of the Agriculture Water Quality Group as my officials continue to work very closely with colleagues in [the Department of Housing].

According to Minister Heydon, the draft Nitrates Action Programme will go to public consultation in the coming weeks.