‘Nitrates review provides real opportunity for farming growth’

The review of the EU Nitrates’ Directive is an opportunity to position Irish farming for sustainable growth, according to IFA Environment Chairman Thomas Cooney.

He said that the current review of the rules surrounding the use and management of nitrogen and phosphorous on Irish farms provides a real opportunity to reverse decades of declining soil fertility levels.

It will also ensure Ireland’s farming sector is well positioned to sustainably grow agri-food exports to almost €20bn over the next decade, and to create 23,000 jobs in the agri-food sector.

Exports from the agri-food sector have grown by more than 50% since 2009, reaching over €11b in 2016. This growth has been delivered through increased efficiency and better use of resources.

For example, he said, since 1996 cattle numbers in Ireland have reduced by one million head, greenhouse gasses have declined by four million tonnes and rivers considered to be seriously polluted have declined by 92%.

Over €2 billion has been spent on slurry storage and on ensuring that farmyards are at the highest environmental standards, he added.

“Chief priorities include the continuation of both the derogation for the dairy and livestock sectors and the transitional arrangements for pig and poultry farmers.

“To support the rebuilding of fertile soils, a lime investment programme must be introduced as part of this review.

This must be supported by more open access to Teagasc’s nutrient management planning tools, which should be available to all farmers at no cost initially – to maximise adoption of best practice.

“This review is taking place at an important time in the development of Ireland’s agri-food sector. Many of the measures proposed by the IFA in this review are focused on better resource management, which delivers on the double dividend of reducing costs while protecting the environment – by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and the risk to water quality,” he concluded.