Cut in Nitrates Derogation could spark fire sale of cull cows - ICOS

ICOS has warned of the risk of a "fire sale of dairy cull cows" and other livestock after the cut to the NItrates Derogation.

The representative body for the co-operative sector made their comments as they seek an urgent meeting with the Minister for Agriculture to discuss the implications of - what they describe as "a cliff edge cut".

“ICOS is deeply concerned at the lack of a coherent Government plan to deal with the consequences of a cut to the Nitrates Derogation," said Niall Matthews, Chair of the ICOS Dairy Committee. "The Government and Commission need to intervene immediately with a plan to prevent a cliff-edge effect of a cut to the Nitrates Derogation. Otherwise, we are facing into the possibility of a fire sale of dairy cull cows and other livestock in the autumn and spring of next year, together with complete turmoil in the land rental market.

They expressed their support a move by stakeholders to bring the European Commissioner for the Environment, Virginijus Sinkevičius, and his officials to Ireland to gain a full appreciation of implications of the decision.

"His visit to Ireland needs to happen on a ‘sooner rather than later’ basis. The Commission needs to learn directly from stakeholders of the deep commitment by Irish farmers to improving water quality and environmental performance and the range of actions and initiatives being adopted by the sector in this respect.

“ICOS has requested an urgent meeting with the Minister for Agriculture to discuss the impact of the decision and to ascertain what concrete measures can be put in place to help farmers as, regrettably, it appears that this decision could be enacted within a matter of weeks.”