Farm leaders under fire for boycotting meeting with Agriculture Minister

Farm leaders are under fire for not engaging with the Agriculture Minister over new nitrate rules.

The IFA, Macra and other farm groups picketed the meeting yesterday to discuss the EU changes which will see herds have to be cut or new land secured by many.

Minister Charlie McConalogue has set up an Agriculture Water Quality Stakehholders Group to improve water quality, to renew the nitrates derogation in 2026.

Deputy Michael Healy Rae says the farming groups should have gone into the talks.