Jackie Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 379: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the implications which the proposed draft action plan and the draft guidance document will have on existing grassland and tillage customers for pig manure. [8704/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The directive requires member states to set limits on the application of organic nitrogen and these may have the effect of restricting the amount of pig manure that a farmer can import. In general the application of all fertilisers containing nitrogen or phosphorus will be determined by crop nutrient requirements. Such provisions form part of the nitrates action programme submitted to the European Commission in October 2004 and are likely to be reflected in the document eventually agreed with the Commission. It is, therefore, possible that some farmers who currently import pig manure may no longer find it necessary or convenient to do so. I have asked my officials to consider the extent to which any resulting difficulties for pig farmers can be alleviated.

Under the action programme farmers will also be required to maintain certain records relating to the movement and use of organic fertilisers. In preparing the programme every effort was made to keep such administrative requirements to the minimum necessary. 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.