The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 21 May, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area EU Affairs

Period 1 Jan, 2024 to 30 Apr, 2024

Specific Details Nitrates Directive/Derogation

Intended results To highlight that the imposition of a lower organic N limit per hectare (if the derogation is not secured) could move farmers away from pasture-based systems to a higher input system (more bought in feed) which has been shown to pose a higher risk to the environment. To propose that Ireland's nitrates derogation must be maintained or it would impact the viability of thousands of farmers (across all sectors) and have a huge knock-on social impact on rural Ireland. To propose that based on our understanding of the complexity of factors that impact water quality, we advocate for targeted and tailored measures to mitigate potential nutrient loss from farms to our catchments rather than blunt blanket instruments. To propose that the review of the Nitrates Directive and the granting of derogations under the directive must recognise and respect the position of member states who rely on the Nitrates Derogation to maintain grass based sustainable farming systems. The facility of a nitrates derogation, granted for a longer period, should be pursued in order to affirm the viability of sustainable grass-based production systems which offer multiple environmental and animal welfare benefits. Any reduction in the derogation will in fact be counterproductive in terms of achieving various environmental and sustainability objectives.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Francie Gorman IFA President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Tadhg Buckley IFA Director of Policy and Chief Economist, Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance & Oireachtas Engagement

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Submission All Senators

Letter All Senators

Submission All TDs

Letter All TDs

Submission All MEPs

Letter All MEPs

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (6-10)

Submission (11-20)

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Darragh O'Brien Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

James Browne Minister of State (Department of Justice)

Joe O'Brien Minister of State (Department of Social Protection)

Michael McGrath Minister (Department of Finance)

Micheál Martin Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Roderic O'Gorman Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Malcolm Noonan Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Lorna Bogue Councillor (Cork City Council)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Cowen TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Niall Blaney Senator (Seanad)

Peadar Tóibín TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Lisa Chambers Senator (Seanad)

Paul Gavan Senator (Seanad)