Michael Tobin
1.2K posts
Michael Tobin
@MichaelT1992
Dairy farmer, South Tipperary
South Tipperary, Ireland Katılım Ağustos 2013
1.7K Takip Edilen2K Takipçiler
Michael Tobin retweetledi
Michael Tobin retweetledi
A thread:🧵Early start this morning. A dozen members of Meath IFA took over from Donegal IFA this morning at 6am at the continuing Bord Bia protest against Larry Murrins untenable position as chair.
English
Michael Tobin retweetledi
It’s a good news day for Irish agriculture with confirmation that Ireland has been given approval for a 3 year extension to our nitrates derogation - see here for more 👇
English
@LeoForde @MichaelT1992 It's just so random both in milk TBCs and different spots he samples from to try to isolate it to one location.
English
A quick question, folks. Talking to a friend just now with a TBC issue. Could be 8 one test and 160 next test. Has sampled different points and bypassed the plate cooler, changed detergent suppliers, everything tried but no solution.
Any ideas or direction to travel from here?
English
Michael Tobin retweetledi
A month ahead by day. Akin to outer space in comparison to continental dairy systems. We are significantly different. #teamdairy
English
@White_Chapel0 @SlattsSean @IFAmedia @icmsa Because the argument is often made derogation is the problem.We have derogation,those countries have a different farming system & do not have a dero. Water quality has multiple pressures in Ireland, WWTP being one, farmers are investing hugely to improve what we can control
English
@MichaelT1992 @SlattsSean How is the water quality e.g. in Germany related to water quality in Ireland?
This is a standard deflection tactic used by @IFAmedia, @icmsa & others in agriculture.
The only stats you haven't posted are the Irish water quality trends which show a decline.
Why is it that?
English
Jennifer Whitmore “farmers see rivers as drains”, some statement from an Irish TD on radio just now, serious disdain
English
@Katrinapwall I could go through reports and finds stats, but anecdotally, first half
Of 2025 was much drier than 2024, lower water levels, no matter what happens externally will increase nitrate levels. And epa acknowledges that when referring to source loading and weather
English
@MichaelT1992 Patterns’. For once Whitmore is correct. Farmers are their own worse enemies and we are all paying dearly for it.
English
@SlattsSean No but compared to the rest of Europe where grazing systems aren’t practiced and where nitrates derogation isn’t at play, we are doing far better. Remove derogation, you’ll see indoor intensive systems increase, grassland ploughed and water quality deteriorate
English
@MichaelT1992 40% to 50% of the country at the low end is still not good statistics.
English
@MichaelT1992 That's not perspective. That's like saying here's hurling stats to explain the reason the national football team is shite.
English
@MichaelT1992 I appreciate the good faith discussion. Would you have any information sources I could read on it? I am passionate about climate action and I like to be properly informed. Thanks for the chat Michael.
English
People really need to understand that the Irish Minister for the Environment is actively and forcefully campaigning for farmers right to destroy the rivers and lakes of Ireland.
That is insane and he should resign immediately.
#resigndarraghobrien
Darragh O'Brien@DarraghOBrienTD
A productive meeting with Commissioner Jessika Roswall to discuss key environmental issues including nitrates and nature restoration. Maintaining the nitrates derogation is a key priority for Fianna Fáil, ensuring that we support Irish farmers while protecting our environment.
English
@Michael_O_B And again Michael, this is not solely a farming problem, there are other factors at play. I appreciate the respectful debate, just bare in mind we have a plan and can do as we are pledging to do, Leitrim has no derogation farmer and has a nitrates problem so it’s not that simple
English
@MichaelT1992 Allowing extra nitrates to flow into our waterways is not the only option for allowing you to do that. If you were guaranteed a minimum income for area farmed or amount produced it would be better for everyone. Supermarkets are getting away with murder in this debate.
English
@DarraghScott @Michael_O_B Derogation limit reduces from 250 to 220 2 years ago, no time given to see has that worked. Funnily enough going to 170 will see more cows go indoors to intensive feed systems which are more common in Northern Ireland and across Europe which has much poorer water status
English
@Michael_O_B @MichaelT1992 Have yet to see evidence of how the removal of the Nitrates derogation will improve water quality? Could likely decrease significantly as surplus pasture gets ploughed up for tillage. Water quality doesn't have this instant change that you seek.
English
This is one of the most disingenuous posts I've ever seen on Irish Twitter. Drinking water is mostly treated and processed. The levels of nitrates and other chemicals that runoff farms is destroying life in our rivers and lakes. This is dangerously misleading.
Michael Tobin@MichaelT1992
A bit of perspective (not that it matters to some anymore)
English
@Michael_O_B It is. Gaslighting serves no one Michael. Every farmer situation is different. The reality for me is that the 30% of stock (25% in my case), are the extra stock that have allowed me come home, farm alongside my parents where two families now are earning a living.
English
@MichaelT1992 You can frame it as an environmental policy but it is not. desmog.com/2024/11/28/nit…
English
@Michael_O_B The nitrates derogation is an environmental policy, farmers in derogation in Ireland farm to a much higher level of scrutiny and rules than those not in derogation, so we can carry up to 30% more animals, we are inspected and policed according to these rules
English
@MichaelT1992 That man is the Minister for the Environment and he is actively campaigning against environmental policy. Fair enough if was the Minister for Agriculture but he isn't. He needs to be called out.
English
@Michael_O_B We have some common ground definitely. Farmers are price takers and without live exports for example, our competitor for buyers is gone, live export is the only reason factories are paying beef prices this year to reflect what beef is actually worth.
English
@MichaelT1992 I think the government should be paying farmers a lot more to reduce emissions and nutrient damage. Food is essential. I have issues with live exports but that's a different discussion. They have no problem subsidising Ryanair. Farmers and environmentalists have plenty in common.
English
@Michael_O_B And just to add to the above, there are no derogation farmers in Germany for example, or the majority of those countries with poorer status than us. We can farm with derogation and improve water quality, but we need derogation to be commercially viable in the first place
English
@MichaelT1992 I take your point Michael and I know that the farming industry has committed to a lot of change over the last couple of years water can't wait for incremental change. It needs to be big and it needs to be now. Lough Neagh is destroyed and 50 years from being okay.
English