Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food in view of the fact that the implementation of the nitrates directive will have a major impact on agriculture in Donegal, if she will assure the house that the Brosnan proposals will be fully defended by her Department and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6122/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. A nitrates action programme was submitted to the EU Commission in October last. Its provisions emerged from a consultation process with stakeholders, including the farming organisations, and from the recommendations of independent adviser Mr. Denis Brosnan who had been appointed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to act as an adviser in the matter.

I share the regret of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government at the fact that the European Commission has indicated that the action programme falls short in some respects of meeting the requirements of the nitrates directive. My officials are working closely with their counterparts in the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in preparing a response to the Commission. Agreement with the Commission is necessary not only to avoid the risk of substantial fines on Ireland but also to safeguard ongoing EU funding of rural development measures.

It remains my objective, shared by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to minimise the burden of compliance that the nitrates directive will place on farmers and to safeguard the future of the commercial farming sector.