Mr. Brendan Gleeson:

We stated that applicants had to reduce their nitrates level by 5% within a certain period. That allowed several options to meet this requirement. One could meet it by reducing stock numbers, slaughtering animals earlier or engaging in various management practices. We deliberately configured it in that way to allow people options in terms of meeting the requirement to reduce the nitrates level. If we did not include a provision of that nature, we would have been found to be in breach of the parameters of the regulation. That is my clear view.