Six organisations in the agriculture sector have come together to issue a joint declaration based on the process needed to ensure Ireland can maintain the nitrates derogation into the future.
The six organisations that have set out “what the sector stands for” includes: Dairy Industry Ireland (DII); the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS); Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA); Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA); Macra; and Meat Industry Ireland (MII).
The declaration comes ahead of the visit of European Commission officials to Ireland this week.
The dairy and meat sectors, including farm organisations, co-operatives and processors, set out common objectives that representatives believe will deliver the renewal of the nitrates derogation while also protecting water quality.
The declaration states that it “the terms of the last nitrates review were unachievable”, and that there “should be no agreement” to any further water quality conditionality without consultation with the entire sector first.
Common objectives
The declaration calls for “immediate implementation” of a nationwide fully funded water advisory programme to ensure continuous improvement in water quality.
While looking for state funding, the declaration also calls for funding from the EU National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) and the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund (ICNF).
This would be to support on farm investments aimed at protecting water quality such as nutrient storage, and to also drive the recommendations of the Agricultural Water Quality Working Group (AWQWG).
Also included in the common objectives document is that investment in on-farm nutrient storage “must be prioritised and incentivised”.
This includes amendments to existing planning legislation to expedite the planning permission process for those seeking to invest in storage.
The organisations are also seeking provision of 70% grant aid via the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) with a separate ceiling and regularly updated costings.
Nitrates derogation
“The loss of the nitrates derogation would have an economic impact on rural Ireland, the scale of which cannot be underestimated,” the declaration states.
“The implementation of the common objectives presented will deliver good water quality while also ensuring the present family farm model remains not only viable but sustainable into the next decade and beyond,” the declaration states.
The declaration includes a list of programmes in place to protect and enhance water quality in Ireland, including the ‘Better Farming for Water’ advisory campaign led by Teagasc and the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO).
The report also lists a summary of co-op sustainability programmes and meat processor sustainability programmes.
Since 2015, the beef sector has seen an 8% reduction in absolute water usage, which equates to cumulative savings of almost 250,000m3 and a drop of almost 22% in water intensity, according to the declaration.