Irish dairy co-operatives have sent a delegation to Brussels to raise concerns about the future of Ireland’s nitrates derogation and the need for a fully funded Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
The delegation, led by the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS), included chairs of Tirlán, Dairygold, Lakeland Dairies, Kerry Dairy Ireland, Arrabawn-Tipperary, Carbery, Aurivo and North Cork Creameries.
The delegation held meetings with Ireland’s European Commissioner Michael McGrath, Irish MEPs and senior officials from the European Council and Commission.
Following a meeting, ICOS president Edward Carr said the Commission reassured the delegation that it did not want to drive people away from the grass- and land-based model of production.
“The delegation expressed our very significant concerns surrounding the proportionality and complexity of introducing new criteria on habitats as part of our derogation application,” he said.
“That said, we were encouraged by the strong recognition there was of our grass-based system and the real progress made on water quality by farm families and co-operatives.”
Protest
Meanwhile, the delegation also took part in a protest organised by European farming and co-operative organisation Copa-Cogeca to highlight concerns around proposed CAP reforms.
“A fully funded and dedicated CAP is vital, not only to support family farms but also to address the environmental challenges,” added Carr.
“Schemes such as TAMS under pillar two are critical to support new investments in farm infrastructure and we are concerned that moving away from the two-pillar structure will put these vital schemes in jeopardy.”
SHARING OPTIONS