Over 70% of Irish dairy farmers view the loss of the nitrates derogation as a significant challenge to the viability of their farm business
- The annual Farmer Trends and Insights Survey conducted by FRS Co-Op found that 70% of Irish dairy farmers believe increased nitrates regulations will pose significant viability challenges for their business
- The FRS Co-Op survey also found that over 50% of Irish farm business would not survive without EU support schemes
- Faced with a reduced CAP budget and tighter nitrates regulations, farmers say they plan to cut costs and reduce the environmental impact of their business
More than two thirds of Irish dairy farmers have said the potential loss of the nitrates derogation is now one of the main viability challenges facing their farm business, a new survey has found.
The annual Farmer Trends and Insights Survey conducted by FRS Co-Op was carried out over the summer months amid ongoing uncertainty over Ireland’s ability to retain its nitrates derogation from the European Commission.
The survey of more than 500 farmers found that more than half of all farmers (52%) cited the loss of the nitrates derogation and increased fertiliser regulations as one the biggest challenges to their farm business. This figure rose to 70% for responses from dairy farmer respondents.
Meanwhile, over half of farmers (55%) also identified unpredictable weather conditions as a significant challenge, while 35% of farmers admitted to facing financial pressures in their business.
Indicative of the high prices for milk and meat so far in 2025, less than a third of farmers (30%) identified market prices as an issue this year, while almost 35% of farmers said they were struggling to find labour support.
EU Farm Supports Remain Critical for Survival
In light of the recent proposals from the European Commission that would see a 22% reduction in ringfenced funding for agriculture under the next Common Agriculture Policy (CAP), the 2025 Farmer Trends and Insights Survey found that exactly half of Irish farmers say they could not survive without the support of farm schemes.
The FRS Co-Op survey found that exactly 50% of farmer respondents said EU funded farm schemes are either “critical” or “essential” to maintain the viability and economic sustainability of their farm business.
This figure rose to 68% when filtered for responses from non-dairy farmer respondents, which is reflective of the fact that more than half of all beef or sheep farmer respondents said they were part of the ACRES scheme, 46% said they farmed in an Area of Natural Constraint (ANC) and 33% are participating in the SCEP scheme.
The findings come at a time when the European Commission has tabled proposals to dramatically reduce the ringfenced CAP budget from its current level of €387 billion down to around €300 billion.
Join us at the National Ploughing Championships on Tuesday afternoon from 2.00pm where current MEP’s Maria Walsh and Barry Cowen discuss “what Ireland needs in the next CAP reform”
Farm Priorities 2025
Faced with the twin threat of reduced EU supports and the potential loss of the nitrates derogation, almost 44% of Irish farmers said their main priority is to reduce costs, while 35% said they planned to reduce the environmental impact of their farm. Only 20% of farmers said they planned to expand their farm business over the coming year, while almost 12% said they will seek to diversify their farm income.
Meanwhile, almost a quarter (24%) of farmers admitted that succession planning is a challenge for their farm business, while a third of farmers said they aim to prepare a succession plan over the next year.
Finally, the FRS Co-Op survey also found that 44% of dairy farmers cited labour shortages as a challenge for their business, with almost half (47%) of dairy farmers saying they employ additional labour on a weekly basis.
CAP Reform and Policy Impact
Speaking on the survey findings, Colin Donnery, Group CEO of FRS Co-Op, said:
“The 2025 FRS Farmer Trends and Insights Survey sends a clear message: farm support schemes are not just helpful, they are essential. With half of Irish farmers stating they could not survive without these schemes, it’s evident that EU-funded supports like CAP are the backbone of rural sustainability.”
He added:
“As policymakers consider reforms, they must recognise the real-world impact of CAP on farm viability, employment, and Ireland’s agricultural economy.”
FRS Co-Op at National Ploughing Championships
FRS Co-Op will host a number of panel discussions each day at this year’s National Ploughing Championships to include topics – CAP Reform, Generational Renewal, Rural Employment, Farm Safety and more. You can visit us at the FRS Co-Op marquee – Row 5, Stand 119 and join us for the conversation each day.
