The government\u2019s push to extend the nitrates derogation is completely anomalous with efforts to reduce rising pollution levels in Ireland\u2019s waterways, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore.<\/p>\n
Deputy Whitmore, who is the party\u2019s environment spokesperson, said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that the quality of our rivers, lakes and estuaries has deteriorated further, with almost half now deemed to be in an unhealthy condition.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is extremely concerning that just 52 per cent of more than 4,000 water bodies monitored over the past five years achieved a satisfactory rating.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf the remaining 48 per cent rated below minimally acceptable standards, excess nutrients from agriculture, urban wastewater, other human activities, and physical changes to habitats contributed to the decline.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerversely, this is happening at a time when the government insists that extending the nitrates derogation remains a priority.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot only is there no plan B in place to support farmers if this application fails, but the government is intent on securing a derogation that is responsible for poisoning Ireland\u2019s waterways and harming our biodiversity.<\/p>\n
\u201cUnder EU law, Ireland has obligations to bring all water bodies up to at least \u2018good\u2019 standard by 2027. However, at the current pace of progress, the EPA has warned that this will not be achieved.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven the ecological emergency we face, it is baffling that the government should continue to pursue a policy that will only make the situation worse.\u201d<\/p>\n
October 14, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The government\u2019s push to extend the nitrates derogation is completely anomalous with efforts to reduce rising pollution levels in Ireland\u2019s waterways, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party\u2019s environment spokesperson, said: \u201cThe latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that the quality of our rivers, lakes and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11226,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[410,517,727,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14025","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-agriculture","category-biodiversity","category-environment","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n