Mr. Pat Smith:

Mr. Kingston might deal with the nitrates directive and fertiliser issue. In respect of the fodder crisis and the cost, we must wait until the end of the year before we can put a definitive cost on it. As members can see, just as the weather can be negative earlier on, it can also be very positive. The type of weather we are getting at the minute is a major help. We must remember that we had more than 1 million extra cattle previously and were well able to cope. Farmers are quick learners. Perhaps stocks did run down more than they should have. The technical advice might have been a bit too optimistic in the context of a short winter and that will be revisited from both a technical and farming perspective.

We must be conscious of the use of technology in the context of improving output. It is a real challenge in Europe. At the minute, research and development and technology gains across Europe are increasing production by 2% to 3% per year yet due to restrictions where science and politics get somewhat confused at European level, our growth and production as a result of technology, such as GM, is in the low half percent. Over a ten or 15 year period, we must be very conscious of trying to ensure that science wins out in the context of using technology so we can produce food as cost effectively as possible.

I reiterate what Mr. Bergin said. There have been weather events for as long as there have been records. There was a weather event here, we are coping with it and we will know by the end of the year what is the cost. Perhaps Mr. Kingston might deal with the fertiliser issue.