Lakelands stress derogation issue with minister
Retention of the Nitrates Derogation was top of the Lakeland Dairies agenda as they met with Minister for Agriculture.
Minister Martin Heydon was advised on key issues facing the agricultural sector when Lakeland Dairies’ Chairperson Niall Matthews met with him in Dublin last Wednesday.
Also discussed was the ongoing Bovine TB problems, and the importance of encouraging more young people into farming.
The meeting was held against a backdrop of the EPA’s recent report which showed nitrogen levels in rivers reduced in 2024. In publishing the positive news in its ‘Early Insights Nitrogen Indicator for 2024’ report, the EPA however cautioned: “Despite the reduction, nitrogen remains too high in the southeastern half of the country and further reductions will be needed to bring them to satisfactory levels”.
The EPA will publish its three-yearly assessment of water quality in Ireland, for the period 2019–2024, later in 2025. This future report will combine data on nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in waterbodies, with the biological quality monitoring data on fish, aquatic insects and plants, to give a comprehensive assessment of the ecological health of all waters. That may prove instructive as the current nitrates derogation expires in January 2026.
Commenting after the meeting, Niall Matthews said: “In terms of water quality, the wind is at our back and we are making great progress as an industry. The recent positive EPA results show that Irish farmers are stepping up and playing a leadership role in protecting and improving water quality. Initiatives such as the €60m Farming for Water EIP are game changers for our sector but we cannot be complacent and must continue our great momentum.”
It is understood that 40% of suppliers are in derogation, that would be 40% of 2,200 suppliers in the south, representing some 60% of the overall Lakeland milk supply.
Ireland and the Netherlands are the only EU Member States to have the derogation after Denmark let their derogation expire in July 2024 due to persistent water quality issues.
“Retaining the Nitrates Derogation is vital and of national importance,” claimed Mr Matthews.
“Lakeland Dairies called for a coordinated, cross-departmental strategy ahead of the formation of the current Programme for Government, and we are pleased to see the first meeting of the new Cabinet Sub-Committee on the Nitrates Action Programme taking place this week. This is real, tangible leadership and we welcome this.”
Regarding TB, Mr Matthews acknowledged the seriousness with which the Minister is treating the matter but urged that more needs to be done.
“A TB breakdown causes immense emotional and financial distress to farm families. We must take bold and brave steps to reduce incidence rates, not only for the welfare of our farmers but for the continued strength of our agri-food export industry.”
Finally, Mr Matthews reiterated Lakeland Dairies’ commitment to supporting the next generation of farmers.
“We will back any and all measures aimed at encouraging young people into dairy farming,” he assured.