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- Fiona Sheehan
Fiona
Sheehan
Designed to Fail
The EU nitrates directive aims to protect water courses from agricultural pollution and promotes good farming practices. Every four years, Ireland applies to Europe for a derogation on nitrate limits, based on the argument that we have a long growing season, our fields can absorb fertilisers and their use will not put water quality at risk.
Derogation is a confusing topic, for both the farming community and for the public. Politicians are not realistic with farmers about climate issues and are filled with false promises. Many political parties are guilty of speaking out of both sides of their mouths. Farmers feel under-represented and targeted due to the nitrate’s laws.
In my project, I explored the contradicting arguments put forward from politicians involved in the discussion around derogation. I compare this to the farmers side of the discussion, look at challenges in the industry and the worries that many farmers have concerning the future of their farms.