Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 3: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her proposals to address the threat to pig farming and poultry production in counties Cavan and Monaghan posed by their non-inclusion in the recently announced nitrates directive derogation; her plans to minimise the difficulties for grassland and tillage farmers in accepting these top-quality organic fertilisers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40704/06]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Ireland applied to the European Commission for a derogation, under the nitrates directive, from the limit of 170 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare per year. The derogation, as submitted to the Commission, would have applied not only to grassland farmers but also to farmers wishing to import pig and poultry manure. Unfortunately, this aspect of the proposal did not meet with the approval of the Commission and it did not form part of the Commission's proposal approved by the EU nitrates committee, involving the 25 member states, on 13 November.

However, producers in the pig and poultry sectors will benefit from transitional arrangements which were secured under the revised European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations introduced in July 2006. These arrangements, which allow for phosphorus limits to be exceeded until 1 January 2011 for land using pig and poultry manure from existing farming enterprises, represent a major concession and they will give these industries time to adapt to the requirements of the regulations. In addition, the Department has introduced important measures which will benefit pig and poultry producers, such as access to the generous grant aid in the farm waste management scheme, as well as the inclusion under the scheme of elements of particular relevance to the two sectors, including decanter centrifuge systems, dry feeding systems for pigs and specialised slurry spreading tankers.

I have also introduced a pilot scheme for the demonstration of on-farm waste processing facilities to support the introduction in Ireland of new and emerging technologies for the treatment of farm wastes, such as anaerobic digestion and fluidised bed combustion. Grants of up to €400,000 are available under the measure which will be of particular interest to the intensive pig and poultry sectors. A number of research projects supported by the Department in areas covering efficient nutrient use, pig diet and solid-liquid separation of pig manure will also greatly assist the farmers involved. I am proposing some changes to REPS which would incentivise farmers in the scheme to take in pig and poultry manure. Should the Commission accept my proposal, these changes will contribute significantly to a solution of the problem.

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have no doubt that the Minister of State shares my concerns. The problem lies in what happens after the transitional arrangements expire. My difficulty is with the Cavan and Monaghan aspect of the problem. It appears to me that Cavan and Monaghan have been left out. A major part of our farming sector is made up of the poultry and pig industries and small farmers in these industries have great concerns for their future. That the derogation does not apply to them brings major problems. They feel they are being treated less favourably than other counties across the country.

As there is no derogation, the big problem is to make customer farmers comfortable about taking fertiliser that is organic. It appears that it is okay to put chemical materials on land. There are practical problems when putting the onus on the farmer to analyse the product that is coming in. The farmers feel that much of the onus is being put on them and that there are too many regulations. The last book of regulations contained 35 pages, which is a great concern to them.

They are also concerned about the helpline. Rather than other industries having to intensify and increase their volume, the pig and chicken farmers feel that their only way out is to reduce output. Are we expected to take chicken, pork and bacon off the menu? Will we start importing them? These foods must be produced here and this is a major issue for us in Cavan and Monaghan.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I accept the importance of the issues raised by Deputy Connolly. Deputy Crawford, Deputy Connolly and I are well aware of the different issues involved for the intensive industries in Cavan and Monaghan. We have established a working group on intensive livestock enterprises, which was specifically set up to consider issues facing the intensive livestock sector in the context of the nitrates regulations. The group recently met and includes representatives from the Irish Association of Pigmeat Processors, the Irish Poultry Processors Association, the IFA, Teagasc, the Environmental Protection Agency and representatives from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Ireland and five other member states in the EU have received a derogation, but no country received a derogation on the importation of pig slurry and chicken litter. We must develop technology to deal with many of these waste matters. We have established a grants scheme to enable pilot projects to be established so that people can develop the technology that will deal with the disposal of this waste. I arranged for farmers — small and large-scale pig producers and poultry farmers — to meet with Department officials and specialists in the area. These meetings have been about trying to develop technology to deal with these particular waste problems. Substantial funds are available within the Department to assist in the development of this technology. From speaking to individual farmers involved in both industries, I know that they are not handing over the problem to other people. They want to be involved themselves in developing the systems that will deal with the waste on the farm or in central locations.

We have also provided money from the stimulus fund for a research project by Teagasc which involves the assessment of a solid-liquid separation system for pig manure and the influence of pig diet on the composition of solid and liquid fractions. A great amount of work is currently being done to devise systems so that we will have the proper technology in place to deal with the disposal of waste from these enterprises before the transition period ends. It was a major concession to obtain a transition period until 2011, because when we speak of waste disposal from pig manure, it is phosphorous rather than nitrogen that is the major problem. We secured a transition arrangement for phosphorous. Farmers can still take in pig manure and use up to 170 kg of nitrogen, without any regard to the phosphorous levels.

Phosphorous levels were the major concern of the pig farmers, rather than nitrogen. However, no other country has managed to get this particular aspect of a derogation. We put an enormous effort into seeking this derogation. We included in the regional derogation application this particular subject which was the focus of bilateral meetings. It was also raised by officials from the Departments of Agriculture and Food and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and Teagasc, in their meetings and presentations to the Nitrates Committee of the European Union. Being realistic, I can only foresee these issues being removed from the agenda when the proper technology is developed and in place to deal with these particular waste problems.

In the short time that I have been in the Department of Agriculture and Food, the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, has been totally supportive of our having adequate financial resources to assist people to develop the technology to deal with these waste problems and that is the only successful route we can take.

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There seems to be a difficulty in that consultations appear to have broken down with the farm organisations. They believe they have been hung out to dry in that they want help with the directives. They simply do not understand the directives fully. The other matter is the issue of a helpline. I believe there is a need for more consultation with farmers in that regard. The farm organisations believe that consultations have broken down.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In conclusion, I want to assure Deputy Connolly that there has not been a breakdown in communication. The group I refer to is particularly relevant as regards the subject matter of his question about the intensive industries that are important in our two counties. The working group on intensive livestock enterprises met no later than yesterday.

Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My information is three days old, for which I apologise.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We are doing our best.