Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2005

Department of Agriculture and Food

EU Directives

9:00 pm

Photo of Dan NevilleDan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding the effects of proposed nitrates and proposals to overcome the difficulties presented for the poultry industry. [16915/05]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary 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. 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.

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