Amended scientific advice on the implementation of the nitrates directive was agreed yesterday by the 11-person Teagasc board and was forwarded to Minister for Agriculture Mary Coughlan.
The Irish Farmers' Association and Macra na Feirme said they recognised that some problem areas had been addressed. However, both expressed disappointment at the document. The directive limits the amounts and number of times fertilisers can be spread on farms in order to protect groundwater quality. The chairman of the agriculture and food development authority, Dr Tom O'Dwyer, said the amendments should address the concerns of the EU and farmers.
"This advice provided to the Minister will allow more flexibility for farmers than that contained in the statutory instrument. But, importantly, this is achieved while posing no additional risk to the environment," he said.
"If fertiliser rates are based on this latest phosphorus advice from Teagasc, then there will be no detrimental consequences for the quality of water," he added.
The new advice will allow for higher use of phosphorus in mineral soils but has not deviated from the original limit of 170kg/hectare of nitrogen as a national limit.
Ireland will seek a derogation to this nitrogen limit later in the year when the nitrates programme is accepted by the EU, which is driving the issue.
IFA president Pádraig Walshe said the recommendations had failed to back good farming practice and he was seeking a meeting with Minister for the Environment Dick Roche.
Macra na Feirme president Colm Markey said he was disappointed that the new advice farmers were being forced to accept would do nothing for water quality. It is expected the IFA will reverse its decision of non-co-operation with Teagasc when they meet soon.