Dairy
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.
Environment
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.
The High Court has begun hearing a legal challenge against the government's fifth Nitrates Action Programme (NAP) taken by An Taisce.
The European Commission has launched an "open public consultation" to hear farmers' views on the evaluation of the Nitrates Directive.
Tillage News
Government ministers have agreed an extension to the shallow cultivation rules for tillage farmers due to adverse weather conditions.
Tillage
The Nitrates Directive is designed to prevent pollution of surface waters and groundwater from agricultural sources
Agri-Business
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has reminded farmers about the storage requirements for silage bales.
Dairy Technical
The recent changes to the nitrates regulations will have an impact on all farms in Ireland, no matter what the organic N stocking rate is.
