John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader contact the Ministers for Agriculture and Food and Environment, Heritage and Local Government about the nitrates directive? The House had a debate on agriculture a number of weeks ago but, as is the case with many issues, no action has been taken. The proposed limit on organic nitrates under the directive is 170 kg per hectare per annum, which is in stark contract to the 250 kg limit proposed for most other member states, including Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Farming organisations have made a good case that the domestic limit should be increased to 210 kg per hectare per annum. Everybody is unclear as to whether the advice on the directive is being given by officials in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Teagasc or elsewhere. I urge the Leader to ask the relevant Ministers to ensure the proposed limit is increased in line with Northern Ireland and the rest of the EU.