Farmers have been recognised for the work they have done to improve nitrates levels in Irish rivers, shown in an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report.

The EPA's early insights nitrogen indicator for 2024, published this Wednesday, shows that nitrogen levels in rivers have reduced in 2024 compared with 2023.

Commenting on the report, deputy president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA) Eamon Carroll said the results should be an endorsement for Irish farmers when it comes to voting on retaining the nitrates derogation at the end of 2025.

“An absolutely critical decision on the future of Irish agriculture will be taken later this year in terms of the derogation and the water quality data published today [Wednesday] is certainly a vote of confidence in what we as farmers are doing at present.

“That has to be acknowledged and it has to be fed back into the decision-making process, because, as [the] ICMSA has repeatedly pointed out, the retention of the derogation is now the key to securing the long-term sustainability of Irish farming and the food sector that rests on our farming.

“The data published today certainly provides our Government with a strong basis to deliver the derogation post-2025,” Carroll said.

The ICMSA deputy president added that it is undeniable that water quality is moving in the right direction and the progress is testament to officials working with farmers towards a common achievable goal.

Carroll also said if the relevant authorities continue to work collaboratively with farmers, as opposed to putting more regulations on them, then results would follow.

IFA response

Farmers should take confidence in the measures they have adopted on farm to improve water quality following a reduction in nitrates levels in rivers, the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has said.

IFA environment chair John Murphy said this recognised report states that a further decline in nitrates concentrations is likely, when this monitoring data is published later in the year.

“The report is important and should provide confidence that the measures adopted at farm level by farmers are delivering improvements to water quality and that the sector is on the right track,” he said.

Murphy added that this report needs to inform future policy on water quality.

“It’s vital that the findings of this report feed into the development of the next nitrates action programme (NAP) and that the enormous pressure that has been placed on farmers with the constantly changing and evolving policy is lessened in the next cycle.

“The pace of regulatory change cannot be maintained; time must be provided for the existing measures and the targeted approach to continue to deliver improvements to water quality,” he said.

There is a relentless focus by the sector to improve water quality, Murphy said, through programmes such as the Teagasc Better Farming for Water campaign and the Farming for Water EIP that are supporting farmers to implement targeted measures to deliver for water quality, as well as biodiversity and climate.

'Tangible impact'

Meanwhile, MEP Barry Cowen said farmers’ efforts are having a tangible impact and that the data is a “testament to the immense work being done by Irish farmers in this area”.

With the EPA’s latest findings demonstrating clear progress, MEP Cowen said he was reiterating his call for this improvement to be fully acknowledged in EU decision-making.

He added that further reductions are necessary, but highlighted the momentum already achieved as a strong foundation for continued progress.

“These latest results from the EPA are a testament to the dedication and hard work of Irish farmers in implementing more sustainable practices.

“The decline in nitrogen levels in our rivers is not just a welcome development, it is verifiable proof that targeted measures and improved farming methods are making a difference.

“It is now imperative that this progress is properly reflected in discussions at EU level. Retaining our nitrates derogation will be critical for our farmers and for the sustainability of our agricultural sector.

“The data demonstrates that Irish farmers are committed to environmental responsibility and their efforts must now be recognised,” he said.