Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 October 2025
751. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on his Department’s work to explore measures to encourage the use of inhibited urea, as committed to in the Climate Action Plan 2025 and due in Q3 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55514/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegulatory measures under the Nitrates Action Programme were introduced in February 2025 through SI 42 of 2025; the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 and have now come become effective from 15th September 2025. In the changes introduced through the amendment, a provision has been included to allow a restriction on the use of uninhibited urea in granular form from 15th September 2025.
My Department has also supported a Teagasc run communications campaign to promote the use of inhibited urea during Spring 2025, this included the publication and dissemination of a flyer highlighting the advantages of using inhibited urea, and testimonials of famers who have started to use it on their own farms. Work to encourage the use of these new technologies is continuing through knowledge transfer programmes supported by my Department such as the Teagasc Signpost demonstration farms and the Signpost Advisory Programme.
The use of inhibited urea on Irish farms has increased markedly over the last number of years. Fertiliser records detail increases in the volume of purchase by Irish farmers of inhibited urea products of 18% in 2022/2023, and 50% in 2023/2024. The actions I have outlined will further increase this uptake and contribute significantly to a reduction in emissions from the sector in the years ahead.
