The three-year extension, beginning 1 January 2026, is subject to additional conditions, including the evaluation of environmental impacts.

The Nitrates Directive aims to protect water quality across Europe by reducing pollution of surface and groundwaters with nitrates from agricultural sources and by promoting good farming practices.

The Directive sets a limit on the amount of nitrogen from livestock manure that can be applied to agricultural land, but member states can be allowed to derogate from the limit subject to strict conditions.

Derogation requests are assessed based on water quality and trends in the member state concerned and the measures being implemented to address pollution. Derogations must not have significant negative impacts on the status of water bodies or on the conservation of Natura 2000 protected areas.

Ireland has had a derogation under the Nitrates Directive since 2007. The current decision was due to expire at the end of 2025.

The European Commission said it “has worked closely with the Irish authorities on their plans to improve water quality” and it is “on this basis that the Commission now agreed to extend the derogation”.

The new derogation maintains the conditions of the current derogation and adds additional ones reflecting the measures of the Irish Nitrates Action Programme as well as additional measures in areas with significant challenges in terms of nitrate pollution.

It also takes account of Ireland’s commitment to carry out required environmental assessments as well as the farming industry’s need for certainty and predictability.

Jessika Roswall, commissioner for environment, water resilience and a competitive circular economy, said: “Having recently visited Ireland to learn about the progress made on water quality, I am fully aware of the importance of the derogation for pasture-based farming.

“We have worked closely with the Irish authorities and taken note of the ambitious measures that they are proposing.

“We will continue to work together on our shared goal of a sustainable path for Irish farmers in the interests of water quality in Ireland while providing legal certainty and predictability to farmers.”