Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Minister has recently made regulations giving legal effect to Ireland's national action programme under the directive.

The fact the Minister made the regulations enabled Ireland to begin the formal process of seeking approval for a derogation designed to allow certain farmers to operate, under appropriate conditions and controls, up to a level of 250 kilograms of organic nitrogen per hectare per annum. The Department of Agriculture and Food is taking the lead in this matter and, with the support of Teagasc, will continue to work with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government towards achieving a successful outcome.

The process commenced formally at a meeting of the EU nitrates committee in December, when an outline of Ireland's proposal was presented. Detailed discussions between officials of the Departments of Agriculture and Food and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the European Commission took place subsequently. Following these discussions, a detailed scientific argument in support of the proposal was finalised and has been submitted to the Commission.

The proposal will be discussed again at future meetings of the nitrates committee before approval can be obtained. Securing this derogation is vital for the most productive dairy farmers in particular, and it is important the position on the regulations is clarified at an early date so the negotiations on the derogation can proceed.

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