United zero-tolerance message from farm organisations needed

Arecent Oireachtas committee on agriculture, which focused on compliance with the Nitrates Directive, heard from the main farming organisations — IFA and the ICMSA.

Both focused on the barriers to the possible retention of the Nitrates Derogation.

According to IFA President Francie Gorman, the retention of the Nitrates Derogation is a red-line issue for IFA. ICMSA’s President Denis Drennan said there is a huge number of inspections already and farmers need proper advice and engagement on nitrates and a time-lag to show the impact of the good work farmers are doing is not being considered.

The loss of the Derogation would jeopardise the viability of thousands of farmers, not just those in dairying, according to the farm organisations, who say it would also have an impact on Ireland reaching its climate targets.

Water quality is a hugely important issue for not just farmers, but everyone, and there’s no doubt farmers should be armed with the most up-to-date information on water quality as soon as possible.

Farmers certainly face a wall of regulations, but ignoring issues at farm level is not a solution.

By the talk of the farming organisations, you’d swear there wasn’t a single problem on any farm. Extra slurry storage may be a difficulty for farmers due to delays in planning and funding, but it doesn’t justify breaking the law.

Blame can be put on the door of serial objectors, planning issues and funding, but there is no getting away from the fact that there is slurry moving on paper that isn’t moving in reality.

If there is to be any hope of retaining the Nitrates Derogation at 220kg, never mind a return to 250kg, there needs to be a zero tolerance attitude from the farming organisations on illegal behaviour inside any farm gate, which is not just damaging our environment and water supplies, but also the integrity of the sector.

Compliance

Water quality has not improved and, no, it’s not entirely a farm issue and a united front from the farming organisations to represent farmers is to be welcomed. But a united message needs to look at the issues that are there when it comes to compliance.

Interestingly, there was an open cordiality between the two farming organisations. It’s not that long ago when senior members of ICMSA were called scabs when they passed an IFA picket outside the Department of Agriculture.

While the farm organisations might have bonded over the potential economic and social impact of a decreased Nitrates Derogation, a joint message from both farming organisations saying there should be zero tolerance of issues at farm level would have been welcomed.