Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding her negotiations with the EU on the implementation of the EU nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6965/05]

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. After the letter of formal notice was received from the European Commission in December, stating that the action programme is not complete and does not comply with the requirements of the directive and the judgment of the European Court against Ireland, the Minister, Deputy Roche, and I had discussions with the farming organisations. Since then, officials of the two Departments have been working together on the preparation of a response to the Commission. Senior officials of both Departments are in contact with the relevant Commission officials and this process of consultation and negotiation is continuing.

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, and it is also the objective of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, to reach agreement on an action programme that meets the objectives of the nitrates directive in terms of safeguarding water quality, while also minimising the burden of compliance that the agreement will place on farmers and safeguarding the future of the commercial farming sector.