Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

With regard to the letter from Teagasc to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government it recommended the nutrient application standards should be used as guidance tables only and not included in legislation. It is not an option. The Minister has spoken to the director of Teagasc on this matter and clarification has been sought and received. On the issue of REPS, it is appropriate that we take some of the stress being experienced by people on this issue. That is the reason I have asked Teagasc to be proactive. I have also asked that the REPS planners be brought in and that the issue of fertiliser substitution to organic will be the process of the day. I am also considering the issue of soil sampling. Therefore, if a farmer is in a position to say to me on a soil sample that it is a different index, he or she will be free to do so but at the end of the day crop requirement will be the prerequisite as opposed to the soil sample. On that basis, all support that is necessary to deal with this issue will be forthcoming. My officials meet in the Department and the officials of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to consider a response to the Commission with a view to bringing this matter to finality fairly quickly.

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