Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

The reality is that farmers are confused and have not been given adequate time to comprehend these regulations. Inspections are taking place but at the same time farmers are supposed to be compliant. In many parts of the country, the explanatory meetings are only now taking place. Why are the Department's inspectors not prepared to inform farmers of the criteria being used for the penalties, which should be the case? Why has there been a situation in law from 1 January 2006 that farmers must have clean water management systems in place rather than tying that in to the farm waste management scheme, which would have made more sense?

The Department and Teagasc were asked at one of the information meetings whether they would provide a free telephone line for farmers to provide information on how to comply with the nitrates directive. In response, farmers were told the service would be put in place in January. There is not much point putting it in place in January when the inspections are taking place now and given that the Department and the Minister have denied farmers the basic information they need to comply with the nitrates directive as it stands.

The reality on the ground is that farmers are being terrorised. They do not know what is happening and they will be penalised with rules and regulations they do not understand and about which they have not been given adequate information.

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