Angus Woods: The dairy’s relationship to other sectors hampers its efforts to maintain the derogation

Most farmers don’t need a derogation – but to exert political pressure it would be better if all farmers united on the issue

“The EU has concluded that water quality must be improved to maintain the agricultural nitrate derogation, and this EPA report shows no improvement.” Photo: Damien Eagers

According to the latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency, nutrient pollution was the biggest factor affecting water quality last year.

It wasn’t a big surprise; this continued the trend. Water quality is a problem that affects everyone. For many farmers, the perfect day off is a fishing trip. I like rowing and would like to do it on clean rivers and lakes.