PROPOSALS put forward by the European Commission to extend Ireland’s nitrates derogation by a three-year period, have been welcomed by western farm leaders.

The ‘breakthrough’ was announced on RTE Radio last Thursday by Ireland’s EU Commissioner, Michael McGrath, who said that member states would be voting on the draft proposal at the EU’s Nitrates Committee meeting later this month.

Connacht IFA Chair, Brendan Golden, said that while the details of the derogation extension had yet to be fully examined, the news was ‘positive and a real step in the right direction’.

“Farmers across the West of Ireland, and indeed across the country, really are making a huge effort in terms of ensuring that water quality continues to improve and that emissions are being reduced.

“Huge progress has been made in achieving those targets – what we want to ensure now is that the terms and conditions attached to the new derogation will be workably and practical for farmers,” Brendan Golden told the Farming Tribune.

IFA President Francie Gorman has also emphasised that ‘it is critical’ that any conditions attached to the renewal of Ireland’s nitrates derogation are workable for participating farmers.

“It certainly is a positive development to hear that progress is being made on securing renewal of our derogation.

“However, until we see the terms and conditions attached to any proposed renewal, we don’t know how workable it will be. The devil will be in the detail,” Francie Gorman said.

Galway IFA Chairman, Stephen Canavan, welcomed the proposed extension which now seemed likely to be passed by the member states clearing the way for the Commission to adopt the proposal.

“Farmers have really worked hard to ensure that water quality continues to improve and extending the derogation will allow this good work to continue,” said Stephen Canavan.

Last week in the Dáil, Agriculture Minister, Martin Heydon, said that while it wasn’t a ‘new derogation’, it had different terms and conditions after what he described as ‘sensitive negotiations’.

“I’ve worked very closely with a lot of the key stakeholders on this, but this is a very sensitive issue because this is still only a proposal going to a technical committee that have a vote on this.

“Approval will now be subject to securing the required approval of Member States at the EU Nitrates Committee on Tuesday, December 9th next. We still don’t have a derogation on the first of January [2026) unless this committee votes to approve this proposal,” said Minister Heydon.

Midlands Fianna Fáil Senator, Paul Daly, said that the proposal to extend Ireland’s nitrates derogation, was ‘a crucial and timely development for the future of Irish agriculture.”

“Farmers are already working under extraordinary pressures, and the stability provided by a continued derogation is essential for planning, investment, and long-term environmental progress,” said Senator Daly.

Pictured: Connacht IFA Chair, Brendan Golden