Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 112 together.

As indicated in reply to Priority Question No. 105 on today's Order Paper, the regulations which give effect to Ireland's nitrates action programme under the nitrates directive provide for nutrient management planning in line with the environmental requirements of the directive and long-standing guidelines published by Teagasc.

I also said that Teagasc has indicated that it may be possible to review part of its advice on crop nutrient requirements in a way which could improve the effectiveness of the regulations. My Department secured agreement with the European Commission that there is merit in allowing time for this advice to be elaborated. It will have to be a very short period of time because as long as this process goes on, it will delay the negotiations on the derogation. I am sure the Deputy will agree that that is something none of us would wish to consider. To this end, I announced the de facto deferral of Part 3 of the regulations. I and my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Deputy Coughlan, jointly made it clear that if revised phosphate tables are brought forward by Teagasc and supported by robust underlying science, the Government would be prepared to make a case to the Commission for revising the current limits. Any formulation, and it is important to be accurate and truthful in this, would have to respect the environmental requirements associated with the nitrates directive. I am not sure what will come out of that further elaboration and I look forward to receiving material from Teagasc.

In regard to nitrogen standards, in agreement with farming representatives and in accordance with Sustaining Progress, Ireland is pursuing the derogation from 170 kg to 250 kg. That is critically important to farmers but, more particularly, it is important to dairy farmers. Deputies will understand the reason that is the case. It is crucial that we do nothing to jeopardise that set of negotiations. I did not make the point to Deputy McCormack but I make it now. Until we appeared to be moving off course yet again on this issue there were signs of much good will from the Commission. I believe that if we get on track with our negotiations and focus on that, we will be able to get the derogation but the exact date will depend on when we finish our work.

Teagasc has not been specifically requested to review its advice on the nitrates issues. However, to the extent that its revised submission on crop nutrient requirements, which is still awaited, suggests any further beneficial adjustments to the regulatory regime, these will be considered. The possibility of such further adjustments will also depend on its meeting the environmental requirements in the directive and also on them being approved by the Commission.

See this speech in context