Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views regarding the probable effects of the nitrates directive on pig production here; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that as many as 100 licences issued to pig farmers under EPA regulations may be rescinded; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that as many as 400 other pig producers may be unable to source suitable land for spreading pig slurry on;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 her 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 her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the decimation of the pig industry will provide opportunities for cheap imports of questionable quality pig meat into Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36844/05]

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.

Ireland's national action programme under the nitrates directive was formally submitted to the European Commission on 29 July 2005. Following a consultation process, regulations giving legal effect to the action programme are expected to be available shortly. Ireland will then proceed with the case for a derogation, which proposes to cater largely for intensive dairy farmers and for grassland holdings importing manure from intensive pig and poultry farms.

Throughout the discussions on Ireland's proposals, the European Commission has taken a firm position on the minimum storage capacity required for pig producers. It has also insisted that such storage facilities must be put in place at the earliest possible date. The nitrates action programme submitted to the Commission on 29 July reflects those discussions and therefore states that a storage capacity of 26 weeks is required for pigs and must be in place by 31 December 2006. However, for small units a lesser storage requirement — 16, 18, 20 or 22 weeks depending on the zone — applies to holdings with 100 pigs or fewer, conditional on the holding having adequate spreadlands to utilise all the manure on the holding without exceeding nitrogen and phosphorus limits.

While the implementation of the action programme will certainly have implications for pig producers, the level of anxiety being expressed in some quarters is excessive. I have taken measures to alleviate the impact on the sector and farmers as a group can also do much to help each other.

To assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the nitrates action programme, I have announced details of a proposed revised farm waste management scheme for which EU approval is now being sought. I hope early approval of the scheme will be forthcoming from the European Commission so that it can be introduced quickly. 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 specialised 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 a grant rate of 20%.

I also intend to introduce a scheme to support the demonstration of new technologies to help the agriculture sector meet the requirements of the nitrates directive. The purpose of the scheme, details of which are being finalised at present with a view to an early introduction, is to look at new and emerging technologies for the treatment and possible use in bio-energy production of livestock manures, in particular from the pig and poultry sectors.

The other issue facing pig producers will be having access to enough land to spread the quantities of slurry produced on their holdings in a way that meets the nutrient limits and other requirements of the action programme. I am acutely conscious of the need for pig farmers to continue to have adequate spreadlands for pig slurry. In that context I will be asking Teagasc to undertake a very active promotion campaign to demonstrate the nutrient value of slurry and the savings that farmers can achieve by substituting it for chemical fertiliser, and I will be urging REPS planners to encourage their clients to use pig manure on their farms. I will also be seeking to ensure that the necessary record-keeping and inspection regimes are kept to what is strictly necessary.

Furthermore, there is much that farm organisations and individual farmers can do to promote the use of imported organic fertilisers such as pig slurry. It is in the interests of other farming sectors, such as the tillage sector that provides feed, to assist the intensive pig producers by considering the use of manure on their crops. Pig producers also need to be pro-active in identifying and encouraging suitable recipients to take and utilise their manure. I would encourage the farm organisations to explore these possibilities.

Regarding imports of pigmeat, all such imports must be sourced from EU approved establishments applying the highest standards in veterinary controls, particularly in legislation, hygiene conditions, animal health status, veterinary medicines controls, residues programmes and other food law. A health certificate conforming to the models set down in EU legislation must accompany pigmeat being imported from third countries. All consignments must first be landed at an approved border inspection post and undergo documentary, identity and physical checks. Once it has been established that the meat has met all the required conditions it is released for free circulation within the Community. Imports failing to comply with these veterinary control checks may be detained for further examination. If non-compliance is established they are returned to the exporting country or destroyed.