Environment
Macra has said a new report on the Nitrates Directive "reinforces the need for a balanced and practical approach to improving water quality".
Dairy
The European Commission has chosen "the status quo" in its new evaluation of the Nitrates Directive, a farm organisation has claimed.
Podcast
The Agriland team bring you the biggest stories of the week in Irish agriculture, which this week...
A review of the EU Nitrates Directive, which governs farm manure limits and the nitrates derogation, has been published.
Agri-Business
The European Commission today unveiled its first-ever Livestock Strategy, setting out a roadmap to help Europe's livestock sector thrive.
The European Commission is preparing an assessment on simplifying aspects of the Nitrates Directive, Agriland understands.
Around 26% of milk supplying herds are yet to confirm their nitrogen excretion rate band for 2026, according to department figures.
More than 300 less farmers applied for a nitrates derogation this year compared to the number that applied in 2025.
EU green groups are aiming to scupper a proposal on 'ReNure' fertiliser, which has been cited as a way to offset mineral fertiliser use.
Rural Life
Minister Martin Heydon has told a meeting of EU agriculture ministers that EU laws on nitrates, habitats and nature should be simplified.
Irish Farming Association (IFA) Environment chair John Murphy criticised “overly precautionary application of EU law” on directives.
DII, the Ibec body that represents the dairy processing sector, has welcomed the confirmation of Ireland's nitrates derogation.
The ICMSA has told the EU Commissioner for Environment that Irish derogation farmers are "the most inspected and supervised in the state".
Agri Politics
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he has "prioritised" the nitrates directive and acknowledeged the challenges facing the tillage sector.
The Netherlands has made a formal request to the European Commission to extend its nitrates derogation under the EU nitrates directive.
Subjecting farmers to assessments under the EU Habitats Directive before granting a derogation is "very concerning" and a "serious threat"
Minister Martin Heydon has announced that the 2025 nitrates derogation applications can now be made through the Agfood system.
Ted Massey has said that he is confident that "normal" weather conditions will see an improvement in water quality data.
Dairy co-operative and processor Tirlán has highlighted its farm water quality programme to a team of officials from the European Commission.
Ireland South MEP Sean Kelly has pledged to convene a meeting on Ireland's nitrates derogation in Brussels if he is successfully re-elected.
The coalition of parties in the Netherlands "could be a game changer" in Ireland's chances of retaining a derogation, one Irish MEP has said.
A coalition in the Netherlands that is set to form the new government will aim to reverse the phasing out of the Nitrates Derogation.
The European Commission is proposing to increase the amount of processed manure which farmers can use under the Nitrates Directive.
