diff --git a/esmvalcore/config/_config.py b/esmvalcore/config/_config.py
index 6df9e9bf52..ee4d8ac8e8 100644
--- a/esmvalcore/config/_config.py
+++ b/esmvalcore/config/_config.py
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 from importlib.resources import files as importlib_files
 from pathlib import Path
 
+import iris
 import yaml
 
 from esmvalcore.cmor.table import CMOR_TABLES, read_cmor_tables
@@ -23,6 +24,17 @@
 CFG = {}
 
 
+# Set iris.FUTURE flags
+for attr, value in {
+    "save_split_attrs": True,
+    "date_microseconds": True,
+}.items():
+    try:
+        setattr(iris.FUTURE, attr, value)
+    except AttributeError:
+        pass
+
+
 def _deep_update(dictionary, update):
     for key, value in update.items():
         if isinstance(value, collections.abc.Mapping):
diff --git a/esmvalcore/preprocessor/_io.py b/esmvalcore/preprocessor/_io.py
index 0851e1d37e..0c554c3d9a 100644
--- a/esmvalcore/preprocessor/_io.py
+++ b/esmvalcore/preprocessor/_io.py
@@ -41,8 +41,6 @@
 }
 GRIB_FORMATS = (".grib2", ".grib", ".grb2", ".grb", ".gb2", ".gb")
 
-iris.FUTURE.save_split_attrs = True
-
 
 def _get_attr_from_field_coord(ncfield, coord_name, attr):
     if coord_name is not None: