The increasing volume of fertiliser being used by Irish farmers has come under fire from the head of environmental policy in the Department of Agriculture.

Bill Callanan was speaking at the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) national conference in Naas on Thursday. He said nitrogen use had been growing year on year by 10% since 2016. Based on figures from the first three months of 2019 it looks set to rise again by a further 10% this year

The more you use, the more you lose and that’s the simple fact

The theme of the conference was Climate Change and Calf Welfare. Callanan said while Ireland had a good story to tell, the trends on key environmental performance markers were in the wrong direction.

Trends

“First of all, on an emissions point of view, we have been going up at close to 2%, per year for the last five or six years now at this stage against the national backdrop of a reduction requirement. We are a big part of the cake, so we have to be careful that we're not seeing as a big part of the problem.”

On habitats, 70% to 70% of Ireland’s habitats are described as being in poor status.

Callanan explained that by 2027 there was a requirement to deliver good water status across Ireland. Currently approximately 70% of water bodies are in good status.

“The trend was positive but has reversed in the last couple of years. In the last reporting period water quality has declined by about 3%. Agriculture alone is not the sole problem in this area but in terms of the loading it is quite a significant contributor.”

Cause

Callanan said increased fertiliser use was part of what was driving the declining trends: “Whatever way you look at it, the recovery of nitrogen into the system is modest against what’s put in. The more you use, the more you lose and that's the simple fact in relation to it.”

Read more

‘Confusion’ around value of dairy calves - Teagasc

Naughten calls for carbon tax exemption for farmers