Irish farmers angered by change to slurry spreading rules

Farmers affiliated to the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) have picketed a meeting organised by agriculture minister Charlie McConalogue, in response to tougher rules on slurry spreading and delays to subsidy cheques.

The dispute centres on a reduction in the amount of organic fertiliser Irish farmers are allowed to spread on their land under the EU Nitrates Directive, intended to protect water quality, which allows a standard maximum of 170kg/ha of organic nitrogen (N) a year.

See also: Welsh government delays NVZ rule change to October

Ireland is one of three EU countries that has a derogation, allowing some farmers to apply up to 250kgN/ha, subject to applying additional pollution control measures.

But the EU has now said this derogation must be cut to 220kgN/ha from January 2024, meaning farmers must either reduce cattle numbers or find more land to spread their slurry on.

Blunt instrument

Mr McConalogue told farmer representatives he had made a strong case to EU environment commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius for the retention of Ireland’s 250kg/ha derogation until the next review.

“However, he made it clear that there is no prospect of revisiting the current decision.”

IFA dairy chairman Stephen Arthur said dairy farm families felt “shocked and betrayed” by the minister.

“Most who are in derogation are farming small- to average-size farms and this is going to make many of them unviable unless they can find expensive land to rent – land that they actually do not require other than for nitrates calculation purposes,” he said.

Mr Arthur also condemned a perceived lack of support or consultation from the Irish government.

“Derogation farmers have had ever more stringent rules imposed on them over the last number of years.

“Instead of allowing time for the new measures to take effect and work with farmers to improve water quality, this blunt instrument is being imposed.

“Dairy farmers are now left with a large drop in their income due to changes forced upon them.”

Delays

The IFA is also dismayed by changes to subsidy payment schedules, which mean Basic Payment Scheme monies will be going out two weeks later than normal this year, while ANC (Areas of Natural Constraint) payments will be a month late.

This is due to technical and administrative changes brought about by the revamped Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Mr McConalogue has “committed to explore” bringing payment dates back in line with the previous schedules next year.