The Irish agricultural sector now faces another major challenge after Dublin recently announced that in the fight against nitrogen and greenhouse gases, the livestock population will have to be significantly reduced. One possible option is 200,000 fewer dairy cows. This measure is also intended to reduce manure production to curb nitrate pollution.
The expected reduction in livestock numbers will have a considerable impact on Irish milk production and the operations of many farms. The Irish government apparently intends to shift focus towards more sustainable farming practices and the transition to smaller family farms.
Over the past years, the European Commission has repeatedly expressed concern about the nitrate situation. As a result, Ireland is now losing the privilege of the derogation and will have to comply with the same rules as other EU countries, as previously experienced by Germany and the Netherlands.
According to the Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are areas in Ireland where nitrate pollution is particularly high. The EPA report identifies specific locations where fertilizer use will have to be drastically limited. One of the measures is lowering the nitrogen limit from 250 to 220 kg per hectare in most parts of Ireland.
In response to losing derogation status, the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) rejected the EPA report as “nonsense.” The IFA argues that the proposed restrictions are unrealistic and unnecessary. The farmers’ organization suggests that the government should instead invest in better farming practices and technologies to address nitrate pollution.
Some farmers who no longer qualify for the derogation are considering switching to organic dairy production. Irish Minister of Agriculture Helen Hackett encourages non-derogation farmers to consider this option. Organic farming can offer a more sustainable approach, with stricter rules on fertilization and reduced use of chemicals.