Mr. Tom Canning:

In relation to the training what we are proposing is a one-day annual mandatory training session, initially for farmers with stocking rates above 130 kg N/Ha. This would be run on the same basis as ACRES. A precedent was set with ACRES training where farmers have a classroom session during which the logic behind mitigation measures, such as the fencing of water courses, the planting of hedgerows and the reduction of overland flows, is clearly and simply explained. That is followed up with an afternoon session on a farm, where farmers can see the measures practically implemented and the host farmer can talk about the benefits. We have already done this over the last year. We have provided training ourselves, as have our counterparts in Teagasc, to the 46,000 farmers that are engaged in the ACRES programme. A further 9,000 are coming into that programme this year. The precedent is there and it has been very successful. Basically, we set out and explain the regulations very clearly to farmers and show them good, practical implementation.