Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 97: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans she has to deal with the crisis in the intensive farming sector, that is, pigs, poultry and mushrooms, being brought about by the new proposals in Brussels for the nitrates directive; her views on whether the new regulation plus increased paperwork will force many out of production; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14205/05]

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

Implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The nitrates action programme may have implications for the intensive farming sector, particularly in terms of the utilisation of the manure produced by intensive pig and poultry units. Accordingly, I have asked my officials to examine various aspects of intensive production in the context of the action programme, including feeding regimes and the storage, treatment and utilisation of manure. I have also asked them to look at the REPS specifications to see how far manure could be accommodated, in place of artificial fertiliser, within the REPS nutrient management regime.

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.