Senior management at Tirlán have met with Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon to highlight the importance of retaining Ireland’s nitrates derogation.

The meeting took place as a report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) showed a decline in nitrogen concentrations in selected rivers over the last 12 months, compared with 2023 levels.

The EPA Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator has been developed to provide more timely information on nitrogen levels and is based on monitoring data at 20 major and representative rivers.

Overall, the early insights indicator shows that nitrogen levels have improved in 2024. However, nitrogen remains too high in the south-eastern half of the country, according to the EPA.

The report states that agriculture is the primary source of nitrogen in these areas.

During the meeting with Minister Heydon, Tirlán chair John Murphy highlighted a range of issues, including the retention of the derogation.

“This year is of vital importance for both farming and the rural economy, with the European Commission due to make a decision on the retention of the current derogation in the coming months,” he said.

Murphy welcomed the commitment to retaining the derogation in the Programme for Government, along with the €60 million Farming for Water European Innovation Partnership (EIP).

Over 220 Tirlán farmers have so far applied for funding to support targeted water protection investments.

“Our farmers are committed to doing the right thing, for water quality, for their land, their farms and wider communities.

"However, we require both certainty and clarity on the future of the derogation as soon as possible.

"It is central to decision-making on-farm and is the number one priority for Tirlán’s farm family suppliers,” Murphy said.

"Even as we acknowledge the improvements, we know that much more needs to be done. We are continuing to support our farmers as they take steps every day to protect water quality and maintain the momentum," he added.

Tirlán chief executive Seán Molloy also highlighted the impact of the practical actions on water quality being undertaken by co-ops and farm families across the country.

“Through our Farming for Water: River Slaney project we are collaborating with key partners and investing in supports to deliver impactful action.

"We are working together with key stakeholders to deliver results that will have a long-term beneficial impact for all our communities,” he said.

“There is a concerted effort underway at national level by policymakers and stakeholders to enhance our water quality and deliver robust science-based results to protect both our watercourses and our derogation.

"We are pleased that the minister stated that the renewal of the derogation is a key priority for the government.

"The level of activity underway on farms, combined with the latest water quality results provides science-based data for making a strong case in Brussels," Molloy added.