Mr. Matthew Macken:

In terms of legislation, we feel that we are very far behind the rest of the EU in the use of this biofertiliser. It is quite readily available to plants and soil, in comparison with other imported chemical varieties. The biggest change we would like to see is the reclassification of digestate from a waste to an organic fertiliser co-product, which it is. It has quite high nutritive content, something of which, I am sure, the Deputy is aware. We need to get this classification changed. The endorsement from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Bord Bia and the EPA will greatly increase the amount of land that will and can be made available to avail of this valuable source of nutrients for farmers and tillage farmers throughout the country. Currently, there are certain county councils in which it can be used and others in which it cannot.