The Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) president, Edward Carr is leading a delegation of Ireland's major dairy co-operatives in Brussels, Belgium today (July 16).

Carr is leading the delegation in order to raise concerns about a number of issues, including the future of Ireland's nitrates derogation, and the need for a fully funded CAP.

The ICOS delegation includes the chairs of Tirlán, Dairygold, Lakeland Dairies, Kerry Dairy Ireland, Arrabawn-Tipperary, Carbery, Aurivo, and North Cork Creameries.

Ireland's EU Commissioner, Michael McGrath, Irish MEPs, and senior officials from the EU Council and Commission held meetings with the delegation.

Following a meeting with the EU Commission on the nitrates derogation, Carr said: "We held a productive exchange of views with senior officials from the European Commission on the future of Ireland’s nitrates derogation.

"That said, we were encouraged by the strong recognition there was of our grass-based system and the real progress made on water quality by farm families and co-operatives," Carr added.

According to the ICOS president, the commission "strongly acknowledged" that it did not want to drive people away from "our grass" and land-based model of production.

The delegation also took part in a protest organised by European farming and co-operative organisation, Copa Cogeca, in order to highlight concerns around proposed CAP reforms.

Carr said: "We joined with farmers and co-operative representatives from across Europe in a protest today to highlight our deep concern at proposals to dismantle the two pillar CAP model.

"A fully funded and dedicated CAP is vital, not only to support family farms but also to address the environmental challenges.

"Schemes such as TAMS under Pillar 2 are critical to support new investments in farm infrastructure, and we are concerned that moving away from the two-pillar structure will put these vital schemes in jeopardy," Carr added.