NARA- government must reject calls to maintain 'Nitrates Derogation'

The National Anglers Representative Association, (NARA) have said that it is "no surprise" that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported deterioration in water quality across the country's rivers and lakes saying that Ireland has an "abysmal record" of tackling environmental degradation are calling on the Irish government and the European Commission to reject calls from the agricultural sector to maintain the Nitrates Derogation, a licence that allows farmers to exceed the limit of 170 kg of livestock manure nitrogen per hectare up to a maximum of 250 kg per hectare.

The statement continued: "The European Commission have taken action against Ireland on a number of occasions in order to get proper implementation of Environmental Legislation. Examples include the recent fines imposed on Ireland for non-compliance with the Water Framework Directive."

NARA went on to say that it is clear from the EPA reports that one of the major causes of the deterioration in water quality is from the agricultural sector. 

NARA was referring to a new study from the EPA that shows no improvement in the water quality of Irish rivers, lakes, estuaries or coastal waters and that nitrogen levels increased in rivers and groundwater, while phosphorus levels were stable but still too high.

Excess nutrients like these cause an overgrowth of plants and algae in water courses, using up oxygen and impacting fish and other aquatic life and the agency called on the agriculture sector and Uisce Éireann to do more to deal with runoff and wastewater discharges, to limit the impact on rivers and lakes with EPA.

The angling body said: "NARA supports the need to have a vibrant and sustainable agricultural sector if rural Irish communities are to survive. However, this cannot be achieved by continuing the agricultural policies which promote the pollution of our rivers and lakes. The calls from some in the agricultural community for the continuance of the nitrates derogation is not credible. We cannot continue to incentivise the pollution of our rivers and lakes for the benefit of one sector.

"We can no longer claim to be a clean and pristine food producer while the production of that food involves the degradation of our aquatic environment. To do so will not only destroy our waterways but will also damage the food industry and its enviable “green” image."

NARA said it is now calling on the Irish Government and the European Commission to reject the calls from the agricultural sector to maintain the nitrates derogation. "We are also asking that a full review of agricultural policy take place with the aim of creating a sustainable industry which will keep family farms in place in Ireland’s rural communities whilst protecting our environment."