Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21713/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Air Pollution Act 1987, as amended by the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, primary responsibility for monitoring air quality and the nature, extent and effects of emissions rests with local authorities. Statutory responsibility for the enforcement of the Act is vested in local authorities and they are empowered to require measures to be taken to prevent or limit air pollution. They may direct a person on whom notice is served to take such measures as may be specified to prevent or limit air pollution. Pollutant in this context includes a substance that gives rise to odour.

In the case of activities licensable by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, as amended by the Protection of the Environment Act 2003, responsibility for the proper management of odours by the activities concerned is a matter for the agency. The rural environment protection scheme, administered by the Department of Agriculture and Food, requires that participating farmers do not spread slurry within 50 metres of any school grounds, public building or amenity area. A buffer strip of up to 50 metres is recommended where land spreading takes place adjacent to private dwellings. In addition, slurry must only be applied with low trajectory spreaders, band spreaders or injection methods.

A number of local authorities have also issued good practice guidelines to farmers for slurry and fertiliser spreading in order to minimise any environmental impact. Finally, Ireland's nitrates action programme, which will come into effect on 1 January 2006, will provide for a range of measures to strengthen the application of good agricultural practice in all areas. These measures, in tandem with the measures already in place, will considerably reduce the problems of odour from slurry.