Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 478: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding the nitrates directive; the number of zones being discussed from a slurry holding and spreading point of view; the number of counties in each zone; if she is satisfied that they are on a scientific basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23736/05]

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.

Following the submission of an action programme in October 2004 and the EU Commission response that it did not fully meet Ireland's obligations under the nitrates directive, my Department has been working closely with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on the preparation of a revised action programme. There has been a series of discussions with the Commission and I understand that the revised programme will be sent to the Commission shortly.

The nitrates action programme will apply from 1 January 2006 on a national basis and will include measures on the timing and procedures for the land application of fertilisers, limits on the land application of fertilisers, requirements on the capacity of storage vessels for livestock manure and general provisions on storage management. It will also provide for the monitoring of the effectiveness of these measures.