Longford farmers need clarity on Nitrates Derogation as MEP demands 'stop moving goalposts'

Strasbourg, July 2025 – Ciaran Mullooly MEP has called on the European Commission to immediately clarify the specific conditions required for Ireland to maintain its Nitrates Derogation, a measure he describes as essential to the viability of Ireland’s grass-based farming model.

The Midlands North West MEP expressed frustration on behalf of Irish farmers for additional European regulations now being demanded:

“The job of Irish farmers is getting tougher. After months of diligent work on water quality aimed at retaining our nitrates directive, comes yet another demand. An assessment under the habitats directive was never part of this process up to now. It was never needed,” Mullooly stated.

Mullooly emphasised to the Parliament that; “in improving water quality and meeting existing environmental requirements, the family farmers of Ireland have delivered on those requests and this has been confirmed by the EPAs latest report on water quality with significant reductions in nitrate levels.”

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The MEP also commented that:

“It is the clear understanding of the Irish farming sector that adopting new technologies and strategies to protect water quality, particularly in areas with higher stocking rates per acre, would be sufficient to meet the required standards to retain the derogation. This derogation is not optional, it’s vital for the livelihoods of thousands of farm families."

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MEP Mullooly called for urgent clarity on this issue:

“Farmers need clarity. I'm calling on the Irish Agriculture Minister to engage with the Commissioner and seek clear, concise guidelines and stop this ridiculous charade that's going on, before the Commission moves the goalposts again!”