There's a warning that removing the Nitrates Derogation could cost 1 in 8 dairy farmers their jobs.
New figures released by Ibec show that up to €45bn of the Irish economy is at risk, due largely to a reduction in dairy exports.
It comes as the EU enters the final phase of negotiations for the removal of the exemption of the Nitrates Directive for Irish farmers.
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The business lobby group are calling for a balancing of "environmental ambition with economic reality".
