Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

Is it not the case that in 2002 the then Minister for Agriculture and Food stated that the nitrates directive, first, would be based purely on science, which we know is not the case and, second, would allow adequate time for phased compliance by farmers? Will the Minister explain how adequate time is being provided to farmers when, within a couple of weeks the information booklet was published and circulated to farmers, the explanatory meetings were arranged and are currently taking place and a rigorous inspection regime is being applied by the Department of Agriculture and Food? Does the Minister believe that is the provision of adequate time for farmers?

How does the Minister expect farmers to understand what is happening when at one of these explanatory meetings the Department of Agriculture and Food and Teagasc blatantly disagreed in regard to the definition of soiled water? How are farmers supposed to comply when the experts dealing with the matter do not know what is happening? Is it not the case that farming is becoming a by-product of bureaucracy rather than the other way round?

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