The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) has warned that the introduction of ranking and selection under TAMS, unless reversed, will impede progress on water quality.

The Chair of the ICOS Dairy Committee, Eamonn McEnteggart has written to Minister Martin Heydon requesting that the issue of funding for nutrient storage be raised at the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Water Quality.

Mr. McEnteggart said today, “It is extremely regrettable that the introduction of budgetary constraints on nutrient storage funding under TAMS comes at a time when a window of opportunity exists to build on the successful extension of Ireland’s nitrates derogation for a further three years.

“Under the 6th Nitrates Action Programme all dairy farms are required to comply with additional soiled water and nutrient storage capacity requirements by the end of 2028. These new legal requirements will result in a 21% increase in slurry storage capacity requirements and 43% increase in soiled water storage capacity.  Previously, such onerous on-farm obligations were Government supported by designated schemes such as the Farm Waste Management scheme.”

Mr. McEnteggart continued, “I firmly believe that investing in nutrient storage should be viewed as an investment in a national asset, supporting the sustainable production of food in Ireland. ICOS fully supports the position of the Ag Water Quality Working Group in calling for the removal of ranking and selection for nutrient storage under TAMS.

“If additional funding under TAMS cannot be secured to allow the removal of ranking and selection, ICOS calls on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to seek Government support for mobilisation of the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund to bolster and supplement TAMS funding for nutrient storage. A business case must be prepared in this regard and a proposal presented to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Water Quality.”

Mr. McEnteggart concluded, “There is an urgency to securing a positive resolution to this, prior to the 2028 deadline, with Teagasc guiding a minimum 18-month timeframe between pre-construction planning and project completion.”