Derogation briefing is ‘very concerning’ - Kilkenny farming

IFA President Francie Gorman said that IFA is very concerned about plans set out in a memo to Cabinet last week, which the Agriculture Water Quality Group has now been updated on.

“We were advised by the Minister for Agriculture that this memo proposed that the Irish Government would make a commitment to undertake ‘appropriate assessments’ at catchment or sub catchment level under the EU Habitats Directive in order to improve our chance of securing the derogation,” he said.

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“IFA made it clear to the Minister when we met him last week that we need far more clarity on this aspect of the Government’s plan, which is very significant and logistically mind boggling,” he said.

“Based on the Minister’s briefing we could be looking at doing hundreds of Appropriate Assessments around the country, even with the State paying for them, and this will cause huge uncertainty for individual farmers,” he said.

“IFA is a notice party in the case taken by An Taisce and we understand the issues raised regarding the Habitats Directive. However, this a jump into the unknown for farmers, co-ops and processors and the rural economy. It is very concerning and will cause huge frustration and uncertainty on the ground,” he said.