Dairygold Chief Executive, Michael Harte, joined a delegation of Irish dairy and meat industry executives to Brussels last week, to lobby for the extension of Ireland’s nitrates derogation which is crucial to protect milk production volumes.
Michael met with EU Commissioner, Jessika Roswall, responsible for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, and a key influencer in deciding if the Ireland’s Derogation should be extended beyond its current 31st December, 2025 expiry.
The team also met with Irish Commissioner Michael McGrath and with other key stakeholders including Ursula von der Leyen’s Chief Agriculture Advisor Patricia O’Reilly, Irish MEPs, representatives from ICOS, COPA-COGECA, IFA, and the Department of Agriculture & Marine Brussels office.
In these discussions, Michael outlined the robust initiatives that Dairygold has implemented to improve water quality and the significant resources the Society has dedicated to our sustainability ambitions which he said; “underscore Dairygold’s commitment to environmental stewardship and are a testament to our proactive approach in ensuring the long-term viability of our farming members and the rural economy, particularly by safeguarding the family farm grass-fed model.”
Michael added: “Irish farmers have historically demonstrated the ability to adapt to policy requirements. Significant progress is being made on the sustainability agenda, particularly in improving water quality. The latest report from the EPA shows a substantial decline in nitrogen concentrations in selected rivers over the last 12 months and are now comparable with 2016 levels.
“We are on a journey, and we are making progress, but this EPA data should provide confidence that the measures adopted at farm level are delivering and that the sector is on the right track. However, time is needed for the extensive water quality work programme to make more substantial impact.”
