Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for her response. The European Commission proposes extending the number of weeks slurry storage is required and restricting the number of weeks in which slurry can be spread as well as extending the requirements to other counties. Why are the zones being extended in counties like Donegal, Roscommon and others, and why are the restrictions being extended if no problem exists with nitrate enrichment in such counties? This is a big issue for many farmers. Is it not the case that a maximum of 8% of the country needs to be designated as nitrate vulnerable? In light of this, did the Government not make an awful mistake in proposing to encompass the whole country in the designation under the nitrates directive?

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