Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 956: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason small pig producers who do not require an integrated pollution, prevention and control licence do not have a 20-month derogation from the statutory instrument signed on foot of the nitrates directive similar to pig producers who require such a licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1213/06]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 957: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the reason pig producers not requiring an integrated pollution, prevention and control licence were not given a similar derogation period to licensed producers in the application of the EU nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1214/06]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 958: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to provide assistance and support to pig producers not requiring an integrated pollution, prevention and control licence in order that they can maintain their stocks and comply with the provisions of the statutory instrument signed on foot of the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1215/06]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 959: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on whether pig farmers who do not require an integrated pollution, prevention and control licence have a viable future; if so, the reason they are being treated unfairly in comparison to producers requiring an integrated pollution, prevention and control licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1216/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 956 to 959, inclusive, together.

The implementation of the nitrates directive is a matter, in the first instance, for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. That Department, in association with my Department and in consultation with Teagasc, has been engaged in prolonged and difficult discussions with the European Commission on Ireland's proposals to implement the directive. These discussions culminated in the making of the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2005 by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The regulations come into effect on 1 February.

Throughout the discussions, the Commission took a firm position on all matters relating to the pig industry. The regulations include limits on the quantities of nitrogen and phosphorus in livestock manure that may be landspread. The immediate imposition of these limits on the entire pig sector would have caused difficulties since the majority of producers do not have enough land on which to spread the livestock manure they produce.

The regulations, as finally agreed with the Commission, include a significant provision that will apply to pig producers holding IPC-IPPC licences, who are responsible for 80% of production. Pending a review of each case by the EPA, to be completed by October 2007, such producers may continue to operate under the licences they currently hold. This means that the arrangements these producers have in place for exporting their manure will continue to be valid for some time. The most important aspect of this is that the farmers who take pig manure from these producers can continue to take it in accordance with their existing nutrient management plans.

This important concession negotiated with the Commission recognises that these producers are already operating under a system of regulation approved by the EPA. Regrettably, it was not possible to secure a similar concession for unlicensed producers. I am aware that a number of these producers may encounter difficulty in finding lands on which their manure can be utilised. I have, therefore, called on Teagasc advisers and REPS planners to encourage their clients to take in pig manure as a substitute for chemical fertiliser. By doing so they will save money, while at the same time giving valuable help to their colleagues in the pig sector.

Following a meeting with pig industry representatives in Donegal, I recently agreed with Teagasc to set up a working group within the county which will assist pig producers in meeting the requirements of the nitrates directive. The group will be chaired by Teagasc and will include officials of my Department, agricultural consultants and representatives of the farming sector, especially pig producers and arable farmers. Other farmers such as cereal and potato producers would have an important complementary role to play in assisting in the utilisation of valuable nutrients from pig farms, and co-operation between farmers will be critical in protecting the future of pig production. I hope that a similar type approach can be adopted in other counties in assisting pig and poultry sectors in meeting the challenges of the nitrates directive.

In the medium term, I would encourage pig producers to look into changes in feeding regimes which will reduce the phosphorus content of pig manure, and to consider the use of new technologies to separate dry matter from liquid. Proposals for grant aid, which my officials are currently discussing with the European Commission, will include assistance for the purchase of such technology. I also intend to make funds available to support the demonstration of new technologies for the treatment and possible use in bio-energy production of livestock manures, in particular from the pig and poultry sectors.

The regulations also include a separate provision which will benefit smaller units with 100 pigs or fewer. For these, a lesser storage requirement, 16, 18, 20 or 22 weeks depending on the zone, applies on condition that there are adequate spreadlands on the holding to utilise all the manure produced there without exceeding the nitrogen and phosphorus limits in the regulations.