The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) welcomes the decision by the EU Nitrates Committee to extend Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation for 3 years.

ICOS President, Edward Carr said today: 

“I welcome the outcome of today’s vote to extend Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation for 3 years. The extension of Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation is vital for both generational renewal and Ireland’s family farm model. It’s important to recognise the role played by Minister Heydon, his senior officials and key stakeholders in securing the extension of the derogation.”

“In particular, I would like to acknowledge the positive role played by farmers on the ground and their co-ops.  The work being done by farmers and supported by their co-ops on water quality has been crucial to securing today’s outcome.”

“There is strong evidence to show that targeted and coordinated measures spearheaded by the farming sector, the co-ops and government agencies including Teagasc and LAWPRO are beginning to show that progress is being made on water quality, and we need to build on this over the next 3 years.”

Edward Carr added, “The derogation isn’t a licence to breach rules, it’s actually quite the opposite in fact with additional compliance and requirements. A derogation is granted under the Nitrates Directive specifically to countries with outdoor grazing systems and long growing seasons. It is in recognition of the positive environmental and welfare status of our grass-based production model.”

“While we welcome today’s outcome, ICOS is deeply concerned as to how compliance with the Habitats Directive will be implemented as part of our Nitrates Derogation. We need to see a well thought out plan, implemented over several years, that protects the future of rural Ireland. In the long term, we need to ensure we have a workable derogation that will deliver certainty and clarity for farmers, for the next generation of farmers and the dairy co-operative sector.”