Govt told to conserve sites to retain nitrates derogation

Govt told to conserve sites to retain nitrates derogation

The European Commission has told the Government that in order for Ireland to retain a nitrates derogation for farmers from next year it must demonstrate efforts to conserve designated sites or species under the EU's Habitats Directive.

Extra complexity in securing nitrates derogation means government needs a plan B for farmers

Farmers and rural communities must not be led off a cliff by a government that refuses to plan for contingencies Government needs a ‘plan B’ for farmers if their attempts to secure an extension of the nitrates derogation fail, according to Social Democrats Agriculture spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “There has been confirmation today that it will now be much more difficult for government to secure an extension of the nitrates derogation. As par…