Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher has accused the Social Democrats of “actively seeking to sabotage the national effort to retain the nitrates derogation that keeps many family-sized dairy farms in business.
Kelleher’s remarks come after recent commentary on the derogation from Social Democrats Jennifer Whitmore TD.
The environment spokesperson of the 11-TD strong opposition party claimed Government is treating “rivers as drains and they do not protect the environment” on RTÉ's Drivetime last Friday.
Whitmore had met with European Commissioner for Environment Jessika Roswall that day when the commissioner visited Ireland.
Speaking after the meeting, the Social Democrats TD said that: “Depressingly, I was the only TD in attendance to raise concerns with the commissioner about the quality of our waterways and the impact that the continued derogation is having on our environment and nature.”
“The Minister for Agriculture is continuing to drive farmers towards a cliff edge by relying so heavily on another extension of the derogation,” Whitmore commented.
Kelleher response
Kelleher responded by hitting out at the Social Democrats, claiming that Whitmore and the party are “trying to wreck our chances of retaining the derogation”.
“What is also missing from the Social Democrats understanding of this issue is the wider importance of the derogation to the agri food sector in Ireland with the milk processors, transport sector, tillage sector and cheese manufacturers all relying on it,” he stated.
“The Social Democrats constantly refer to the poor state of Ireland’s waterways, yet they don’t ever refer to the improvements that have been made, through the mitigation efforts of farmers, in recent years.
“Of course we must improve water quality. Of course, we must reduce the level of runoff from agricultural activities into our waterways, and that is already taking place.
“More progress will come, but we need more time to allow for the full impact of the mitigation factors to be observed in water testing,” the Fianna Fáil MEP said.
Ní Mhurchú supports derogation
Kelleher’s fellow Fianna Fáil MEP in Ireland south, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, also spoke on the derogation, stating that the European Commission should “not punish” farmers who rolled out water quality measures over recent years.
“We have been communicating to our colleagues in Brussels that the nitrates derogation is not a licence to pollute, but rather a recognition that Ireland’s grass-based system can maintain productivity while safeguarding our water and environment,” Ní Mhurchú said.
“Removing it now would destabilise land markets, inflate rental prices, and undermine the very viability of our rural economy.
“In particular tillage farmers could simply not compete with dairy farmers for renting or buying lands.”
Read more
Commissioner ‘optimistic’ about finding solution to nitrates derogation
December D-day for derogation
Watch: Commissioner Roswall doesn't commit on derogation
Cowen warns derogation approach leaves State open to legal fight
Derogation farmers most supervised in State, ICMSA tells Roswall
Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher has accused the Social Democrats of “actively seeking to sabotage the national effort to retain the nitrates derogation that keeps many family-sized dairy farms in business.
Kelleher’s remarks come after recent commentary on the derogation from Social Democrats Jennifer Whitmore TD.
The environment spokesperson of the 11-TD strong opposition party claimed Government is treating “rivers as drains and they do not protect the environment” on RTÉ's Drivetime last Friday.
Whitmore had met with European Commissioner for Environment Jessika Roswall that day when the commissioner visited Ireland.
Speaking after the meeting, the Social Democrats TD said that: “Depressingly, I was the only TD in attendance to raise concerns with the commissioner about the quality of our waterways and the impact that the continued derogation is having on our environment and nature.”
“The Minister for Agriculture is continuing to drive farmers towards a cliff edge by relying so heavily on another extension of the derogation,” Whitmore commented.
Kelleher response
Kelleher responded by hitting out at the Social Democrats, claiming that Whitmore and the party are “trying to wreck our chances of retaining the derogation”.
“What is also missing from the Social Democrats understanding of this issue is the wider importance of the derogation to the agri food sector in Ireland with the milk processors, transport sector, tillage sector and cheese manufacturers all relying on it,” he stated.
“The Social Democrats constantly refer to the poor state of Ireland’s waterways, yet they don’t ever refer to the improvements that have been made, through the mitigation efforts of farmers, in recent years.
“Of course we must improve water quality. Of course, we must reduce the level of runoff from agricultural activities into our waterways, and that is already taking place.
“More progress will come, but we need more time to allow for the full impact of the mitigation factors to be observed in water testing,” the Fianna Fáil MEP said.
Ní Mhurchú supports derogation
Kelleher’s fellow Fianna Fáil MEP in Ireland south, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, also spoke on the derogation, stating that the European Commission should “not punish” farmers who rolled out water quality measures over recent years.
“We have been communicating to our colleagues in Brussels that the nitrates derogation is not a licence to pollute, but rather a recognition that Ireland’s grass-based system can maintain productivity while safeguarding our water and environment,” Ní Mhurchú said.
“Removing it now would destabilise land markets, inflate rental prices, and undermine the very viability of our rural economy.
“In particular tillage farmers could simply not compete with dairy farmers for renting or buying lands.”
Read more
Commissioner ‘optimistic’ about finding solution to nitrates derogation
December D-day for derogation
Watch: Commissioner Roswall doesn't commit on derogation
Cowen warns derogation approach leaves State open to legal fight
Derogation farmers most supervised in State, ICMSA tells Roswall
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