An Ireland South MEP has criticised the Social Democrats opposition to an EU directive that allows farmers in Ireland to exceed the normal limit for applying livestock manure nitrogen per hectare.
MEP Billy Kelleher has described the Nitrates Derogation as a directive that keeps many Irish farmers in business.
Recently Social Democrats leader, Holly Cairns and Environment Spokesperson, Jennifer Whitmore, described ongoing efforts to persuade the European Commissioner for the Environment to extend Ireland’s derogation from the Nitrates Directive as "grossly irresponsible and hypocritical".
Fianna Fáil MEP Kelleher feels that the party are missing the understanding that the directive is essential to the agri-food sector in Ireland.
He stated that it is essential to many sectors across the industry, including milk processing, transport, tillage and cheese manufacturing.
