Dr. Eimear Cotter:

We will have to see is the direct answer. We did see an 18% reduction in chemical fertiliser use. That has translated into a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which is really positive.

We know that chemical fertiliser is responsible for a third of the nutrients that are applied to land. There are other sources of nutrients being applied to land. The 18% reduction is a national figure. We do not know where the reductions are happening. This is another gap but the fertiliser register will help in that regard. It has been in place since September of last year. The information will help us to at least see where fertiliser is being sold and build a picture of where those reductions are happening. We hope we will see the results of reduced fertiliser use translated into water quality in the future.