Ireland’s EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness has said that the focus should be on farmers who will be worst affected by the new nitrates limit.
Ireland is one of three EU member states that has been granted a derogation to enable some farmers to work to a higher nitrate limit than is applied in the rest of the bloc.
For most of the 27 EU countries, they have a limit of 170kg organic nitrogen per hectare (N/ha).
Farmers in Ireland have been allocated a derogation of 250kg N/ha, but this is to be reduced to 220kg N/ha from January due to poor water quality recorded in Ireland.
Farmers have raised concerns about the cut, arguing that it will affect their ability to make a living and that it will not have a major impact on improving water quality.
Ms McGuinness, EU Commissioner for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Market, who is a former farming journalist, said that “we do have to acknowledge that we all want good quality water”.
“As far as I am concerned, and the discussion we’ve had at our level in the Commission, is there won’t be a change (to the 220kg limit),” she told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland on Friday.
“But what I think is really important, there is a figure of 3,000 farmers that might be impacted, and we need perhaps, not for this to be debated on the airwaves, but to look forensically at how many will actually be impacted, and how we can mitigate the impacts.
“All sectors have to contribute… to avoiding any pollution of our waterways.”
An Environmental Protection Agency report in June found that there had been an increase in nitrogen levels in Ireland’s rivers and groundwaters last year, mainly as a result of agricultural activity.
When excess nutrients – such as nitrogen from fertilisers and manures – enter bodies of water, it can cause an overgrowth of plants and algae.
This can cause blockages and use up oxygen, which can harm fish and other aquatic life.
Farmers have also argued that they have taken measures to improve water quality, but that it takes many months before the effect on water quality is evident.
Although there is quiet acceptance among farmers that the 220kg limit is locked in, the greater concern is for a further cut when new limits for 2026 are due to be negotiated.
Farmers have warned that their productivity could be severely hampered if a 170kg limit is imposed.
At the National Ploughing Championship, the issue was frequently put to politicians over the three days, with Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue questioned by farmers about it during a press event.
Mr McConalogue and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar have invited the EU Commissioner for the Environment Virginijus Sinkevicius to Ireland to discuss the issue.
Irish MEPs at the event suggested that efforts being made by Irish farmers to improve water quality needed to be recognised, and will be the focus of the EU Commissioner’s mooted visit.
Ms McGuinness said that the Environment Commissioner’s visit “will happen”.
Asked about whether there would be budgetary measures to help farmers affected by the cut in nitrate allocation, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said on Thursday “we will have to look and see what we can do to alleviate the pressures”.
When Ms McGuinness was asked whether she would stay on as EU Commissioner, or whether it had been lined up for Tanaiste Micheal Martin, she said: “I don’t know if it’s lined up for anyone.
“I’ve been very clear with the government and publicly that I’m willing to serve again. But I fully respect that this is a decision for the government. But I’ve made my view clear, I have almost 20 years’ experience at the EU level, 16 years in the European Parliament and now will have hopefully four as the European (Commissioner).
“I hope that stands for something.”
