Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)

I too congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Wallace. We will soon have plenty of agricultural expertise outside north Dublin. I regret that I did not hear the remainder of the Minister's reply because I hoped it would deal in more depth with the issues of chicken litter and mushroom compost. I am sure that she is aware of the disagreements between the IFA and Teagasc and that the former has withdrawn from partnership talks as a direct result of its unhappiness with the nitrates decision. Yesterday, the secretary to the IFA, Mr. Jim Devlin, told a European committee meeting that there would be detrimental consequences for the intensive farming industry.

I refer specifically to the pig, poultry, mushroom and grain producers where, because of the interdependency that exists in those sectors, knock-on effects are created when difficulties arise. Issues also arise for tillage farmers, who said they will not be able to store the nutrients they are expected to spread on their land. All the groups concerned will experience significant difficulties in the future. What assurances for the future can the Minister give to pig producers? With poultry and mushroom producers, they represent the lifeblood of my Cavan-Monaghan constituency. She raised the issue of finding land on which to spread the manure but the land is not available and farmers must depend on the good-will of third parties. However, no farmer will be able to take slurry or chicken litter.

With regard to short-term derogations, it took Denmark and the Netherlands two years to receive their derogations. Currently, Austria is also seeking a derogation. I welcome the Minister's comments on these matters.

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