Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 338: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the scientific analysis that has been carried out to justify the increased notional amount of nitrates produced by an individual sow and the consequential effect for the livelihood of pig producers in view of the proposed implementation of the Nitrates Directive. [36923/05]

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.

The nitrates directive specifies a limit on the amount of livestock manure that can be applied to land, being an amount containing 170 kg of nitrogen per hectare per annum. The directive also requires that the nutrient requirements of the crop to which the fertiliser is to be applied must be taken into account when applying fertilisers.

Figures for the annual production of nitrogen and phosphorus by different livestock types were reviewed in the context of developing regulations to give effect to Ireland's national action programme. Analysis of current management practices on Irish pig farms necessitated a revision of the nitrogen and phosphorus excretion figures for pigs. Relevant factors on farms include changed feeding regimes, including use of the phytase enzyme, the increased number of litters per sow resulting in an increased number of pigs being sold and increased slaughter weights. Arising from this revision the annual nutrient excretion rates for nitrogen for sows, integrated unit, are increased from 67 kg per year to 87 kg per year but the rates for phosphorus are reduced from 22 kg per year to 17 kg per year.

The reduction in the standard phosphorus value for pig manure is significant and will benefit pig producers seeking other farmers to take their manure. On most recipient farms it will be the crop phosphorus requirements that will be the first limiting factor that will determine the amount of pig slurry that can be applied. Furthermore, there is scope for the replacement of chemical fertiliser with pig slurry on many farms, particularly on tillage farms, and farmers need to be aware of the savings that can accrue as a result.

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.