Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

As I stated in my reply, an agreement was made with the farming organisations under the charter that we would have one inspection. The notification of inspections under certain parts of the single payment scheme can be given, including with regard to nitrates. However, it was agreed that both sectors would be put together so we would not have two or three inspections.

My view, which I have stated publicly and in my meeting with the incoming president of the Council, is that we need simplification and to deal with the issue of on-farm inspections. He and I agreed a number of issues can be dealt with in a more practical way. I will pursue those issues vigorously. I and my team believe there should be pre-notification of inspections — that is how I stand with regard to the policy. As I indicated to the Deputy, the number of inspections has decreased. However, the regulation given to us in August 2006 states there must be no pre-notification, which has caused difficulties.

I do not agree with the Deputy on the issue of nitrates. All of us have worked strongly in dealing with the nitrates directive. We have worked on a scientific basis and many improvements have been made to the scheme. I sincerely thank Deputy Naughten for the positive way in which he has embraced the fact that we have a derogation, which is important. We have also reflected a number of the concerns about the farm waste management scheme.

I wish to clarify one point, namely, the definition of soiled water and slurry, because it is important we have clarity in this regard. There is no difference between the Department, which is the regulatory body, and Teagasc on this issue. My briefing note states with regard to the holding yards, in particular the collecting yards for milk: "In the case of holding yards not slatted, if the slurry is scraped into the slurry tank and the yard is then washed into the soiled water tank and the contents meet the soiled water standards (BOD/DM) it will be treated as soiled water". That is the definition, on which there is absolute clarity.

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