Jessika Roswall, left, and Martin Heydon, right, visit Pat Durkin and daughter Kayleigh’s dairy farm in Co Kildare. Jessika Roswall, European commissioner for the environment and water quality, had to be convinced Ireland deserved to retain the derogation. The nitrates derogation gives about 7,000 Irish dairy farmers leeway on European Union laws that protect waterways and rivers from agricultural pollution and excess runoff. [ What is the nitrates derogation and how does it impact Irish farmers? ] Discussions between Irish and EU officials became tense as they inched closer to a deal in recent weeks.

Source: The Irish Times December 12, 2025 06:18 UTC