Government has been called on by the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) to ensure that the soon-to-be-published recommendations from the nitrates derogation review support the sustainable development of the sector.

Urging the Government, IFA environment chairman Thomas Cooney said:

“The recommendations of the expert group established by the Department of Agriculture cannot be just about more restrictions.

“The IFA has presented a robust package of proposals as part of a Sustainability Development Programme which must be supported by Government.”

“Farming is playing its part when it comes to environmental action,” Cooney continued.

“Phosphorous use efficiency almost doubled over the past two decades.

“Ireland’s dairy farmers have the lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per kilo of output in the EU. Ireland’s beef farmers are in the top five for lowest GHG emissions per kilo of output,” he said.

“This review must not miss an opportunity to support the further sustainable development of the sector,” the chairman concluded.