Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh today met with the Commissioner responsible for granting Ireland’s nitrates derogation to make the case for its retention on behalf of Irish farmers.
MEP Maria Walsh is a full member of the European Parliament’s Agriculture Committee and met with Commissioner Jessika Roswall who is responsible for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy in Strasbourg today.
MEP Walsh stressed the progress being made by Irish farmers on improving water quality and the need to secure a new derogation for Ireland’s agricultural sector.
Maria Walsh MEP said:
“I met with Commissioner Roswall in Strasbourg today armed with one simple message; the progress made by Irish farmers has strengthened the case for the retention of our nitrates derogation.
“Commissioner Roswall and I had a productive, positive meeting during which I found that she understands Ireland’s position and is open to working with us on this issue. I look forward to the Commissioner’s visit to Ireland next month.
“I stressed to the Commissioner that Ireland’s long growing season and our grass-based livestock systems create a unique set of conditions that justify a continuation of our derogation.
“I also shared that Department of Agriculture officials, led by my colleague Minister Martin Heydon, are developing a process that will provide a pathway to Habitats Directive compliance. I believe that this is a proposal which will provide the Commission with the assurances it needs.
“My priorities include maximising the number of farmers that can avail of the derogation, even if additional actions must be taken. Secondly, I want to ensure that farmers are provided with as much certainty as possible and critically that we avoid any ‘cliff edge’ impacts.
“The Nitrates Directive review must recognise the need for more longer-term certainty for farmers in planning their future farming operation. The fact that we are less than three months away from the end of 2025, and farmers still do not have clarity on the outcome of the review is creating huge headaches for the sector.
“Farmers are fully committed to improving water quality, but for them to continue to invest and meet higher environmental standards, they need long-term economic certainty.”