Taoiseach Micheál Martin has revealed that he had discussions with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on the need for Ireland to retain its nitrates derogation.

Speaking at the Irish Farmers Journal stand at the National Ploughing Championships on Tuesday, the Taoiseach said he outlined to president von der Leyen the essential nature of Ireland’s derogation.

“The nitrates directive is absolutely key. It is challenging we are the only country applying for retention of the derogation.

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“I’ve already had talks with the president of the European Commission on this and on how central this is to our ambition, particularly to give young farmers a sense of long-term security,” he said.

CAP

On the budget for the next CAP, the Taoiseach said proposals around this are too small and more funding needs to be allocated.

“The negotiations around the annual financial framework, which will govern payments over the next seven to eight years. . . It’s been published, it’s not high enough. We want more ringfenced [funding] for farming, for Irish agriculture.

“Probably the finalisation of it will fall too when Ireland has the European Union presidency at the second half of next year.

“We have a lot of work to do to get that base figure up and to ensure ringfencing [of funds], also to see can we look at other mechanisms to support farming under other instruments."

Addressing his final of three priorities for farming, the Taoiseach said the Irish Government will continue to make alliances on the Mercosur trade deal with like-minded member states.

“We are still working with the French, Italians and others on the Mercosur deal.

“Some extra safeguards have come in, but we’re still concerned in terms of differentials in standards that are applied here on climate and those in the Mercosur countries,” he stated.