An Taisce is seeking to overturn Ireland’s nitrates derogation through the courts in the form of a judicial review.

It has lodged legal proceedings against the Department of Housing, the department with responsibility for the derogation.

It is seeking to quash the fifth Nitrates Action Programme, the European Union (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2022 and to invalidate the decision granting the nitrates derogation.

Court documents show that An Taisce lodged affidavits, written statements to be used in court, last month and the Department of Agriculture has been advised of the legal proceedings.

Some 7,000 farmers are farming under the derogation.