The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) will hold a national meeting on the retention of the nitrates derogation in Corrin Mart, Fermoy, Co Cork, on Monday 3 November at 7.30pm.
Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has agreed to address the meeting.
IFA president Francie Gorman said the campaign to retain the derogation is entering a crucial phase, as the European Commissioner for the Environment Jessika Roswell is scheduled to visit Ireland on Friday 7 November.
“We want to send a very strong message about the importance of the derogation and the unrelenting focus across the sector – from farmers to co-ops to State agencies – in improving water quality.
“Corrin Mart is an opportunity for farmers to give full voice to what it means for their own business and the need for certainty as they make plans for the future,” he said.
Viability
Gorman said the meeting will allow Minister Heydon to hear from farmers across the country about their farm’s viability and how the derogation is inextricably linked to handing the farm on to the next generation.
“Many farms in derogation are within the range of the average herd size, which is fewer that 100 cows. It will not be possible to move their plans forward if Ireland doesn’t secure an extension of the derogation,” he said.
Further details about the meeting will be released in the coming days.
SHARING OPTIONS