Tighter checks on water quality and a higher level of inspections are on the way
THE extension of the Nitrates Derogation up until 2025 – announced earlier this week by Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue – has been welcomed by Galway IFA.
Henry Walsh, Galway IFA Environment Rep., told the Farming Tribune that the extension of the Derogation, was an important one and especially so for dairy farmers in the West.
“First and foremost, this is good news for farmers who avail of the derogation, but as farmers, we must all ensure that we put in place best practice in our use of fertilisers and in our application of slurry,” said Henry Walsh.
He said that without the Nitrates Derogation, some farmers would be faced with the dilemma of trying to reduce their cow numbers and profitability – or alternatively – sourcing extra grazing land either to buy or rent.
“While overall water quality is improving, there is still a small percentage of rivers where this is not the case and we must all work towards achieving the goal of improving both the quality of our water,” said Henry Walsh.
He also added that farmers accepted there had to be parameters as well as objective measurements of water quality in relation to the operation of the Derogation over the coming years.
“Maybe too as farmers, we also have to look at a later first application of slurry – sometime in March – when the growing season has started and the soil can utilise the nitrogen element of the fertiliser,” said Henry Walsh.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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