The lowering of the nitrates derogation from 250 kg N/ha to 220 kg N/ha will have devastating consequences for clean Irish agriculture. Farmers throughout the country have spent tens of thousands to bring their farms up to environmental standards, with very few of them now falling behind. Despite the huffing and puffing, it looks like the Government has thrown in the towel on fighting to keep the nitrates derogation at 250 kg N/ha, with some political figures accepting that keeping it at 220 kg N/ha is the next challenge. I urge immediate action during today's meeting with the EU environment Commissioner to secure a critical two-year extension of the nitrates derogation. The clock is ticking with more than 2,096 farmers facing the imminent risk of culling cows, including pregnant ones, starting on 1 January, due to the agriculture Minister's failure to secure an extension beyond the current derogation expiration date on 31 December. Farmers now face an agonising choice between downsizing herds or embarking on a costly land acquisition spree to comply with new regulations. Will Ireland succeed in getting a two-year extension for the nitrates derogation at today's critical meeting with the Commissioner?

I am aware of the situation. The Taoiseach and the Minister for agriculture are meeting the environment Commissioner today in respect of the nitrates directive, with a particular focus on the issue of calving heifers in the very near future and the timelines around that. I visited the Timoleague catchment area some weeks ago. I spent a number of hours there with farmers. I can confirm that many farmers have made huge efforts to modernise and improve their situation. There is a need to get it tighter more nationally between those in and out of derogation as regards protection of waterways and so on, but I am very convinced that farmers want to do the right thing. They have been very progressive in their approach and in the adoption of new technologies. Retaining the 220 kg N/ha is a very important challenge. We are now one of the few countries left in Europe that has an exemption. We are very determined to retain it.