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The Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, in cooperation with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, today announced the commencement of public consultation on the conditions contained in Irelands Nitrates Derogation.

This consultation is part of a review process examining further opportunities for derogation farmers to improve efficiencies and continue to reduce their environmental footprint.

The derogation is an important facility for more intensive farmers, particularly in the dairy sector and it is essential that its environmental credentials are maintained. Almost 7,000 intensively stocked farmers with an agricultural area of 466,000 hectares availed of the derogation in 2018 with this being a marked increase in both the area and the number farming under derogation since 2014. A jointly chaired (DAFM and DHPLG) Expert Review Group has been convened to consider all submissions received during public consultation and will present its findings to both Ministers. 

A copy of the consultation document is available on the Departments website. 

The closing date for receipt of responses is 10 May 2019.

Completed submissions can be sent by e-mail to DerogationReview@agriculture.gov.ie or by post to Derogation Review, Nitrates Biodiversity and Engineering, Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, Johnstown Castle, Co Wexford Y35 PN52. There is also a helpline in relation to the review at 053-9163444