Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the status of the nitrates directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36602/05]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the impact the proposed nitrates directive will have on pig farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37315/05]

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 527: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views regarding the probable effects of the nitrates directive on pig production here; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that as many as 100 licences issued to pig farmers under EPA regulations may be rescinded; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that as many as 400 other pig producers may be unable to source suitable land for spreading pig slurry on; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that unless there is some type of derogation given many pig farmers will either have to scale down their operations or exit pig farming thereby reducing employment in the processing industry; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the decimation of the pig industry will provide opportunities for cheap imports of questionable quality pigmeat into Ireland. [36845/05]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 539: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the nitrates regulations as drafted will impact severely against pig and poultry producers; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the proposed nitrates regulations include provisions that appear to require unwarranted changes in the current Teagasc recommendations and changes in the current REP scheme 3 specifications not required by the directive; if he will ensure changes are made to these regulations to enable existing pig production enterprises to operate in a responsible manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36907/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 501, 527 and 539 together.

Ireland's national action programme under the nitrates directive was formally submitted to the European Commission on 29 July 2005. Last month, I issued a consultation paper, together with the text of draft regulations to give legal effect to the action programme. The closing date for comments was 4 November 2005.

A total of 76 submissions were received from a wide range of stakeholders, including farming organisations, co-operatives, local authorities and other interested parties. My Department and the Department of Agriculture and Food have reviewed the submissions received and I expect to make the final regulations in early December. This will allow Ireland to pursue with the European Commission and other member states our case for a derogation from the limit set by the directive in appropriate cases.

Ireland's original proposal for a derogation from the general livestock manure limit — 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare per year — laid down in the nitrates directive was submitted to the Commission in November 2004. This has now been updated and submitted informally to the Commission. Our proposal is designed to allow certain farmers to operate, under appropriate conditions and controls, up to a level of 250 kg. The scope of the derogation being sought will cater not only for intensive dairy farmers who may need a derogation for their own farming activities, but also caters specifically for grassland holdings importing manure from intensive pig and poultry farms.

To assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the nitrates action programme and regulations, the Minister for Agriculture and Food has announced details of a proposed revised farm waste management scheme for which EU approval is now being sought. Under these proposals, pig and poultry producers will be eligible for the first time for on-farm investment aid and grants of up to 70% will be available. Among other new elements, the scheme will introduce a new 40% grant rate for specialised equipment with specific environmental advantages subject to maximum eligible investment of €80,000 in the case of decanter centrifuge systems and dry feeding systems for pigs and €40,000 in the case of specialized slurry spreading tankers and related equipment. The scheme will increase the maximum eligible investment for standard mobile equipment from €11,000 to €15,000 with the grant rate remaining at 20%. Issues such as Teagasc recommendations and REP scheme 3 specifications are a matter for the Minister for Agriculture and Food.