The announcement last week of derogations to last March’s nitrates regulations for tillage farmers is yet another example of the indifference that regulators have for farmers. This apparent disregard has led to thousands of hectares being stubble-cultivated prior to the announcement which no longer needs to have been done.

Growers all over the country have geared up with cultivators and additional machine capacity and now we learn that much of this capacity may not be needed. Investments which are now to be worked over fewer acres will be more expensive per acre worked. While the altered rules make for more sensible regulations, tillage farmers are rightly incensed by the fact that these scenarios and arguments were presented to authorities long before last March. Indeed, all sensible arguments were ignored until Bird Watch Ireland complained that all intact stubbles were to be cultivated. It was only then that officials listened.

Agitated

It is hardly surprising that tillage farmers have been very agitated. Seldom have we in the Irish Farmers Journal heard such complaints about the indifference of officials from different Government departments. We have known that changes were to happen and have been looking for information for weeks so that farmers could know what was expected. But those in authority seem to care little about the needs of those on the ground.

The lack of understanding of practical farming and respect for farmers by those in authority is increasingly frustrating. Farmers have a right to expect that new regulations will be properly thought through in advance of being introduced, whether such changes be introduced for the protection of the consumer or the environment.