Ever since the EU Nitrates Directive was introduced in 1991, successive Irish governments have pushed back against it. The directive, intended to curb nitrate pollution, set a limit of 170 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare. The derogation granted in 2006 allowed Irish stocking rates far above the European norm and has been renewed repeatedly ever since. Higher stocking rates are presented as a necessity for the viability of family farms. Continuing to permit elevated stocking rates while Irish waters fail to recover is a policy position at odds with the directive’s purpose and Ireland’s own climate and biodiversity commitments.

Source: The Irish Times December 11, 2025 23:01 UTC