Minister Heydon provides update on work to secure Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation

Securing an extension of Ireland’s Nitrates derogation is a key government priority. The current derogation is due to expire at year-end.

Minister Heydon and Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, brought a joint memo for information updating the government on recent developments regarding Ireland’s next Nitrates Action Programme and renewal of Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation.

Ireland is in ongoing engagement with the Commission on the process and has made 2 presentations to the Nitrates committee, the important advisory committee made up of Member States.

Ireland will continue to engage with this committee and commission officials over the coming months.

The Nitrates Derogation is a provision within the Nitrates Directive allowing a scientifically justified higher limit on the application of livestock manure Nitrogen to land than the standard limit set down in the Directive.

The derogation facilitates, and is justified by, Ireland’s unique grass-based outdoor livestock production systems. Ireland is the only EU Member State seeking permission to avail of the derogation post-2025. All other EU Member States have either discontinued seeking the derogation or have been refused by the Commission.

The memo and discussion reiterated the strong cross-government commitment to improving water quality and retaining Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation. Both Ministers are continuing their work in this regard.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has engaged with a broad range of stakeholders and his officials have provided an update to the Agriculture Water Quality Working Group this morning outlining the process his department is going through with a view to securing continuance of Ireland’s Nitrates Derogation. This will be a challenging process given Ireland is the only country seeking a continuance.

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This article was updated at 16.30 on 7 July 2025.