Donie Cassidy (Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on progress on the introduction of the new farm waste management scheme to assist farmers meet the requirements of the nitrates directive. [6110/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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A formal application seeking EU state aid approval for the revised farm waste management scheme was submitted by my Department to the European Commission on 30 September last. The application has been the subject of ongoing negotiations between the Commission and my Department in the intervening period and I recently had a meeting with Commissioner Fischer Boel at which I stressed the importance of this matter to Ireland. I expect the outstanding issues will be resolved in the near future so that the revised scheme can be introduced at an early date.

Donie Cassidy (Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she intends aiding digesters to deal with pig and poultry manure arising from the application of the nitrates directive. [6111/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the financial arrangements to assist farmers meet the additional requirements of the nitrates directive, I have sought EU approval for the introduction of a pilot waste processing facilities scheme to support the demonstration of new technologies, such as anaerobic and aerobic digestion, for the treatment of livestock manures. The scheme envisages the granting of financial support for up to ten projects with a maximum eligible investment ceiling per project of €1 million and a grant rate of 40%. The scheme will be introduced as soon as EU approval is received.