New Cabinet Committee on Water a firm Fine Gael commitment to farmers – Heydon

The establishment of a Cabinet Committee on Water Quality is a firm commitment to farmers of Fine Gael’s intention to leave no stone unturned in retaining the nitrates derogation, Minister Martin Heydon has stated.

“The nitrates derogation is a national asset on which a major sector of our economy depends. Ireland has a unique grass-based livestock production system with over 92pc of our agricultural land under grassland.

“We want to secure the future of the sector for the benefit of all.

“The loss of the derogation would have significant negative impacts not only for the farmers directly affected but also the wider agriculture sector and rural economy. That is why Fine Gael is committed to retaining it post-2025.

“Farmers are doing their bit to improve water quality, and we will support them in those efforts. But they should not be asked to do this alone as agriculture is not the only pressure on water quality.

“That is why Taoiseach Simon Harris has committed to establishing a cabinet committee tasked with coordinating the actions of all relevant government departments and state agencies that share a responsibility in improving overall water quality and will have a role in securing Ireland’s vital nitrates derogation.

“This body will have everyone, Government departments, Irish Water, local authorities, the EPA and others around the table so no one is passing the buck, and no one is working in a silo. Instead, it will drive efforts to work together in the national interest,” the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture said

“Fine Gael wants to see the collaborative and constructive work of farmers and the agri-food industry through the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group replicated across all sectors.

“Farmers require certainty to plan their businesses and to invest in key measures such as additional nutrient storage. Through the new €60m ‘Farming for Water’ scheme, ACRES, and TAMS we have put crucial supports in place to assist farmers in implementing measures that benefit water quality. I believe we can do more.

“€3.15bn has been set aside as part of the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund and will become available from 2026. This fund must be used to support on-farm measures and investments that improve water quality,” Minister Heydon concluded.