Teagasc to discuss new nitrates law report
Teagasc, the State’s farm advisory board, are to hold a meeting in Carlow later today to discuss a relaxation of the controversial nitrates directive.
The Irish Farmer’s Association pulled out of National Partnership Talks saying that the EU-wide directive was too severe for Ireland and would greatly limit farming output.
The legislation aims at improving the quality of water by putting a limit on the volume and the times of year that farmers can spread fertilisers.
The IFA held an emergency meeting last night to discuss the latest advice from Teagasc to the Government on the contested law, but IFA president Padraig Walshe said that the new proposed limits were still too severe.
It is expected that the Teagasc board will discuss a report from its scientific staff that apparently supports a relaxation of the phosphorous and nitrates limits set out in the directive.
