Farm organisations have reacted angrily to the refusal by the European Commission to accept the Nitrates Action Programme put forward by the Government for a derogation from the EU Nitrates Directive.
The EU has been demanding a cut in the usage of nitrates on Irish land to protect water quality, and to prevent heavy daily fines being imposed on Ireland for not implementing the directive an alternative plan was submitted late last year.
Drawn up by former Kerry plc chief executive Mr Denis Brosnan, the plan put to Brussels proposed an interim organic nitrogen limit of 250kg/ha rather than the 170kg/ha in the EU directive.
The Department of the Environment yesterday confirmed that the plan had been sent back for further refinement.
The Department's statement said the commission's view was that the Nitrates Action Programme does not represent a compliant response to the judgment delivered on March 11th, 2004, by the European Court of Justice.
"Minister Roche expressed his disappointment at the EU Commission response to the Nitrates Action Programme.
"The Minister said that the programme represented a tremendous amount of work and consensus by Government Departments and the farming community.
"The terms of the letter are being considered in the Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food, and a reply will be issued within the required three-month period following consultation with interested parties, including the main farming organisations," it concluded.
The IFA president, Mr John Dillon, said the plan submitted had been based on scientific advice and best practice advice from Teagasc.
The president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers' Association (ICMSA), Mr Pat O'Rourke, expressed surprise that the commission had refused to accept the recommendations
"The Brosnan proposals remain solid and, in the opinion of ICMSA, they strike the correct balance between commercial viability and the commission's concerns on nitrates usage."