Dáil debates

Thursday, 29 April 2010

Other Questions

River Basin Management Plans.

Photo of Noel CoonanNoel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the discussion he has had with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government regarding the expected impact on the farming community of new river basin management plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16963/10]

Photo of Seán ConnickSeán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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The implementation of the water framework directive, under which river basin management plans are being developed, is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Draft river basin management plans for each of the river basin districts were published on 22 December 2008 and were open for public consultation for six months until 22 June 2009. The draft plans provided an assessment of the status of Ireland's water bodies, proposed the environmental objectives to be achieved and suggested measures which will be required to achieve the objectives. The measures proposed in the draft plans included a range of existing measures, such as the implementation of the nitrates regulations, and a range of possible supplementary measures for consideration. The river basin management plans are due to be finalised by 30 June 2010. My Department made a detailed submission as part of the public consultation process. It has had further input, where appropriate, through its involvement in working groups established under the auspices of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It is also represented on the water framework directive national advisory committee, which is chaired by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. From the point of view of agriculture, the nitrates regulations are the primary measures under the water framework directive in terms of improving water quality. Studies such as the EPA review of the nitrates regulations and my Department's agricultural mini-catchment programme, which is due to report from 2012, will provide information on the effectiveness of those agricultural measures in reducing pollution of water by nitrates and phosphates from agricultural sources. If these findings show there is a need for additional agricultural measures, it would be appropriate to consider them in the context of a future revision of the nitrates regulations after 2013.

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Where stands the issue of the lead authority or the single agency in respect of inspecting compliance with the nitrates directive? It is 12 or 18 months since the Minister, Deputy Smith, announced he had an agreement with the Minister, Deputy Gormley, on this issue, namely, that there would be a single agency and that we would rule out duplication?

The nitrates directive was adopted only three years ago. In that period more than €2 billion has been invested by farmers in farm facilities to improve their compliance with the directive. Why are we now discussing supplementary measures after the extraordinary investment by and commitment from farmers?

Photo of Seán ConnickSeán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I again thank the Deputy for raising the issue with me. I take the opportunity to welcome the fact that we at least have a time scale and schedule because the plans have been discussed for the past five years. By 20 April the plans will be adopted - it is a reserve function if necessary. Alternatively, it will be adopted by executive function by 14 May. The EPA is to submit a report to the Minister by 31 May 2010 and the Minister is to make amendments, if any, by 30 June 2010. Plans are due to come into effect from 9 July 2010.

The Deputy is aware that the Department is concerned about the impact it will have on the agricultural sector. Again, we are mindful of the fact that it is all about clean water and ensuring that we reduce the level of nitrate in our water, not just in our rivers but also our lakes, across all sectors. I am sure the Deputy is acutely aware of the what we saw last winter, in terms of the level of flooding and the difficulties which that posed at that particular time.

On supplementary measures, we will be informed about them from the findings of the EPA review of the nitrates regulations. It will inform the Department of its position regarding where it will stand. The Department has also raised concerns about specific proposals on the use and control of pesticides, over grazing remediation and aquacultural licensing. It is an area on which we are keeping a close eye.

Photo of Seán SherlockSeán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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I am glad the Minister of State mentioned the word "flooding" because one can have all the nitrates alleviation measures in the world, but if one does not tackle the issue of flooding it does not amount to anything. Would the Minister of State acknowledge that since the serious flooding last year nothing has been done, in concrete terms, to instigate measures which would prevent such flooding happening again, in particular in the Shannon basin region? The consultation process is lagging behind the need for direct action on flooding events, such as those we saw in the west and throughout the Shannon region. Action is now needed and it precedes the consultation process. We should not envisage a situation in the coming months like that which we saw previously, in terms of its effect on agriculture.

Photo of Seán ConnickSeán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I reject the accusation that nothing has been done. As the Deputy is aware, there was an immediate and swift response to the difficulties which people had. My colleagues across several different Departments were involved in setting up measures in terms of funding for people who were badly affected and also dealing with local authorities to examine the level of flooding which took place. As the Deputy is aware, a number of investigations are taking place across the country. I do not accept the Deputy's contention that nothing has been done.

Farming, like every other industry, has to work in conjunction with nature. We all want to protect the environment and our flood plains. It is difficult when one sees the situation which has developed whereby people may have built on flood plains. It is another issue which we may deal with at some stage in the future. I live in New Ross and have dealt with flooding on an ongoing basis because I operated beside a river. I am acutely aware of the awful hardship which is suffered by people when they experience this.

From an agricultural perspective, the bottom line is that the directive is about ensuring clean water. Farmers have to deal with environmental situations on a daily basis. We cannot deal with pollution which is caused by heavy rain or flooding. We have to work together to ensure we get the right balance.

Photo of Seymour CrawfordSeymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I wish to follow up on the question asked by Deputy Creed regarding the consultation between the different authorities on who will be doing inspections or if any inspections will be carried out. It is a very serious problem for farmers who are now answerable to many different groups. It is vital that inspections are reduced to a minimum.

The Minister of State referred to the weather had last year. We cannot go by the calendar structures, as far as spreading slurry and things like that are concerned. In Northern Ireland, the authorities across the Border from where I live have a much more realistic system, whereby farmers can decide when the best time to spread slurry, that is, when the ground is dry and the weather is suitable. Has the Minister examined that system?

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It is somewhat of an extension of the question.

Photo of Seán ConnickSeán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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It is a very big extension. Inspections are currently being carried out, not just by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food but also by the local authorities. We have examined the situation. There is now a combination of co-operation between the local authorities and the Department on the level of inspections. It is an area which is currently being examined. The Minister, Deputy Smith, will probably examine it at some stage in the future. We are acutely aware of the level of inspection and the difficulties which farmers now have in dealing with the number of inspectors which are arriving on their farms. I will take the Deputy's comments on board and the Minister, Deputy Smite, might revert to him regarding same.

I am aware, as I come from an agricultural constituency, that the issue of farming by calendar is one which is of concern to farmers. However, we have rules and regulations in place. We must comply with the European Union regulations. I lobbied the Minister on these matters until I was appointed a Minister of State. As I said, there are regulations with which we must comply and, in that instance, we have done so to date.

Photo of Seán SherlockSeán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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The Minister of State is in a position to change the system now.

Photo of Seán ConnickSeán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I am not sure about that yet. I will let the Deputy know as soon as I find out.