Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 November 2025
448. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures his Department is preparing to support derogation farmers in the event that Ireland is unable to secure a further extension of the Nitrates Derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65974/25]
View answerThe Government is committed to seeking to retain the nitrates derogation and the dual objective of improving water quality.
Earlier this month I welcomed Commissioner Roswall to Ireland where she witnessed our unique grass-based system and the on-going work across the agrifood sector to reduce its impact on water quality.
Indeed, there is currently very significant engagement across the entire agrifood sector to improve water quality. It is vital that we continue and build on this and retention of the derogation will be paramount in this regard.
Significant resources and funding have been made available, both by industry and by Government, to facilitate an improvement in water quality, including the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme or ASSAP where we now have 20 State funded specialist water quality advisors complemented by a further 40 advisors funded by industry providing free advice to farmers in priority areas for action.
The €60m 'Farming for Water' European Innovation Partnership (EIP) is funded by my Department along with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Led by LAWPRO, it is building on ASSAP's work by providing funding to support farmers to adopt specific targeted additional measures above regulatory requirements.
Teagasc's 'Better Farming for Water' Campaign is promoting key actions for change related to nutrient management, farmyard management and land management, and many dairy co-ops have developed sustainability schemes setting standards for environmental protection, including water quality.
Accelerated Capital Allowances are available for investment in slurry storage, allowing the investment to be written off against tax over just two years.
For farmers going beyond regulatory requirements, my Department is also providing TAMS grant aid support for low emission slurry spreading equipment and manure storage. Since 2015 a total of over €153m has been paid to support investments on family farms in manure storage and low emission slurry spreading technology.
All these actions will require time before their full water quality impact becomes visible. However, firmly believe the industry is willing to continue working hard to reduce its impact.
To achieve this we must recognise the work that is taking place.
My Department will continue engaging with the European Commission and our fellow Member States to ensure we get the best possible outcome for Ireland post-2025, both to retain the nitrates derogation as well as to improve water quality. I remain confident regarding achievement of these twin objectives.
