Thousands of farmers have taken to the streets of Bandon, County Cork, to protest proposals to cut nitrate derogation levels. The rally, organised by the Irish Farmers Association, expressed concern that such a cut will have a detrimental impact on rural communities, incomes, and livelihoods.

Over 2,000 farmers attended the rally in the West Cork town on Thursday evening, as concerns mount over plans to potentially cut EU derogations, the system under which farms are permitted to spread livestock manure and slurry containing more than 170kg of nitrogen per hectare – up to a maximum of 250kg of nitrogen per hectare.

Attendees from across industry joined the demonstration on foot and in streams of tractors and trucks, to publicly communicate their concerns about how a decrease from a maximum stocking rate of 250kg of nitrogen per hectare on dairy farms, to 220kg, would negatively impact on livelihoods in the area. Those in attendance made the case that nitrates derogation should remain as it is following the publication of a recent water quality report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified areas that could see the derogation fall from January 1, 2024.