Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I rise to discuss our agricultural industry and where we are going with it. It is of great importance to our country. We are in the middle of a nitrates review and it is very important for Ireland to ensure we have sufficient capacity to ensure our agricultural community can sustain its growth. Government policy has seen a major growth in dairy and beef but we need to press ahead. The nitrate review which happens every five years is in full swing. Between now and the end of October there will be EU proposals on our capacity to spread nitrates. I hope that the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, will take on board the proposal that we need to keep the current derogation for the future of our agriculture sector. This derogation is a key part of ensuring we can deliver policies such as FoodWise 2025 which is a real driver for the economy in rural areas. In my part of the world in Cork, there are more than 2,550 derogations, out of 7,000 in Ireland. A change to the derogation policy would have a dramatic impact on the agricultural community in Cork. I hope the Minister could come to the House, if not prior to the recess, then in the first weeks of September, so we can debate this vital issue for the agricultural community.