European Commissioner for Environment Jessika Roswall is optimistic that she, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, the Government and the Commission will find a solution to Ireland’s nitrates derogation.
The commissioner is in Ireland this Friday to meet the Minister and visit a farm which has a derogation. Ireland’s nitrates derogation expires at midnight on 31 December.
Following a breakfast meeting with the Minister, the Commissioner visited a farm in Co Kildare to see first-hand the work being done on water quality.
This included the farm actions being delivered under the Nitrates Action Programme, participation in the European Innovation Partnership Farming for Water, the use of low emission slurry spreading and the incorporation of clover at farm level, the Department said.
The farm is also a participant in the AGNAV programme, measuring and monitoring its carbon footprint closely.
“Today I’m not making a decision. I’m optimistic that me and Minister Heydon and the Government and the Commission are trying to find a solution, and that is in good faith and in good discussion,” she told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
“I will always base all my decisions on science,” she said.
She said that she has come to Ireland to see with her own eyes what is happening here on the ground.
I know farmers are doing a lot and are very proud of what they are doing
“That’s why I’m here. I know farmers are doing a lot and are very proud of what they are doing. I know that, and I also want to see the progress.”
When asked how she would assess Ireland’s case for keeping the derogation, she said that a lot has been done but that there is more to do.
“I think this is one of the things we need to discuss. Nobody wants to see uncertainty and that is what we also want to accomplish when we discuss any new solutions.
The derogation expires on 31 December. \ Donal O' Leary
“For me it’s important to find a solution that is solid, legally-based but also give predictability to farmers for the future so we can have a future-proofed farming [sector] but also so we can have a healthy environment and clean water.”
Measures
The commissioner said it is important that there is “a solid solution that is legally robust” that complies with EU law.
“We have data, water quality in Ireland is generally good, better than some places in Europe but we still see some challenges in parts of Ireland.
“These are important assessments for me to follow, but also that we want to see that the measures that have been taken,” she said. She added that she is keen to see “stable progress” around water quality but also that the measures that are put in place address the right issues.
“We see that but we don’t see the results. We need to see that all EU law is complied with.
“We want to see the progress, we want to see the measures that are in force,” she said.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resilience Jessika Roswall. / EC - Audiovisual Service
Commissioner Roswall said that the Nitrates Directive is there for a good cause and that if “we don’t protect environment we don’t have farming”.
Commenting on the 9 December meeting of the Commission’s nitrates committee she reiterated her optimism around a solution.
“We have to put that to the member states. It’s not up to me and Mr Heydon only, it’s also how the member states will vote,” she said.
Visit
The Commissioner's programme will continue with a visit to Teagasc, Ashtown. She will also meet Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, with special responsibility for responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae, Oireachtas members and MEPs and will participate in a bioeconomy demonstration.
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien will join a working lunch with the Commissioner hosted by Minister Heydon.
Minister Heydon said that "securing a continuation of our nitrates derogation is a key Government commitment and I am doing all in my power to deliver on this commitment.
"The visit follows a number of visits by Commission officials regarding our request for continuance of the derogation.”
Read more
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December D-day for derogation
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European Commissioner for Environment Jessika Roswall is optimistic that she, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon, the Government and the Commission will find a solution to Ireland’s nitrates derogation.
The commissioner is in Ireland this Friday to meet the Minister and visit a farm which has a derogation. Ireland’s nitrates derogation expires at midnight on 31 December.
Following a breakfast meeting with the Minister, the Commissioner visited a farm in Co Kildare to see first-hand the work being done on water quality.
This included the farm actions being delivered under the Nitrates Action Programme, participation in the European Innovation Partnership Farming for Water, the use of low emission slurry spreading and the incorporation of clover at farm level, the Department said.
The farm is also a participant in the AGNAV programme, measuring and monitoring its carbon footprint closely.
“Today I’m not making a decision. I’m optimistic that me and Minister Heydon and the Government and the Commission are trying to find a solution, and that is in good faith and in good discussion,” she told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
“I will always base all my decisions on science,” she said.
She said that she has come to Ireland to see with her own eyes what is happening here on the ground.
I know farmers are doing a lot and are very proud of what they are doing
“That’s why I’m here. I know farmers are doing a lot and are very proud of what they are doing. I know that, and I also want to see the progress.”
When asked how she would assess Ireland’s case for keeping the derogation, she said that a lot has been done but that there is more to do.
“I think this is one of the things we need to discuss. Nobody wants to see uncertainty and that is what we also want to accomplish when we discuss any new solutions.
The derogation expires on 31 December. \ Donal O' Leary
“For me it’s important to find a solution that is solid, legally-based but also give predictability to farmers for the future so we can have a future-proofed farming [sector] but also so we can have a healthy environment and clean water.”
Measures
The commissioner said it is important that there is “a solid solution that is legally robust” that complies with EU law.
“We have data, water quality in Ireland is generally good, better than some places in Europe but we still see some challenges in parts of Ireland.
“These are important assessments for me to follow, but also that we want to see that the measures that have been taken,” she said. She added that she is keen to see “stable progress” around water quality but also that the measures that are put in place address the right issues.
“We see that but we don’t see the results. We need to see that all EU law is complied with.
“We want to see the progress, we want to see the measures that are in force,” she said.
Commissioner for Environment and Water Resilience Jessika Roswall. / EC - Audiovisual Service
Commissioner Roswall said that the Nitrates Directive is there for a good cause and that if “we don’t protect environment we don’t have farming”.
Commenting on the 9 December meeting of the Commission’s nitrates committee she reiterated her optimism around a solution.
“We have to put that to the member states. It’s not up to me and Mr Heydon only, it’s also how the member states will vote,” she said.
Visit
The Commissioner's programme will continue with a visit to Teagasc, Ashtown. She will also meet Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, with special responsibility for responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae, Oireachtas members and MEPs and will participate in a bioeconomy demonstration.
Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien will join a working lunch with the Commissioner hosted by Minister Heydon.
Minister Heydon said that "securing a continuation of our nitrates derogation is a key Government commitment and I am doing all in my power to deliver on this commitment.
"The visit follows a number of visits by Commission officials regarding our request for continuance of the derogation.”
Read more
Cowen warns derogation approach leaves State open to legal fight
December D-day for derogation
Derogation rally draws up to 2,000 farmers
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