Teagasc Statement on Nitrates Directive
11 January 2006
At its meeting on the 11 January 2006 the Teagasc Authority considered the consequences of the Statutory Instrument implementing the EU Nitrates Directive. It recognises the difficulties created, especially for the pig and poultry industries, through the inclusion of maximum N and P levels in the regulations.
As an independent scientific body Teagasc provided the best scientific advice to the two Government Departments directly concerned. The members of the Authority reaffirmed their stated position that agronomic recommendations should not be used for the purpose of setting legally binding maxima. The final figures agreed with the EU Commission for inclusion in the regulations will create significant difficulties for producers, especially pig and poultry producers.
Teagasc will now explore with the Department of Agriculture and Food and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government the possibility of negotiating a derogation for Phosphorus analogous to the derogation negotiations already being progressed for Nitrogen. Teagasc will develop the necessary research data to support such a derogation. It will establish the scientific information in support of the application of higher P levels on soils where there is no risk of contamination of water bodies.
Furthermore, in recognition of the immediate difficulties faced by pig producers who do not have an IPC licence, the Authority decided to allocate the maximum possible additional advisory resources to its pig service in order to assist individual farmers in coming up with the solutions to their particular problems as quickly as possible. Teagasc will engage in extensive consultations with stakeholders and will work with them to arrive at solutions to protect farmers and the many thousands of jobs in the processing and milling industries and the outlet for much of the cereals grown in Ireland.
