Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 591: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her proposals to meet the concerns of the Irish Farmers Association regarding the nitrates regulations and Teagasc submission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11023/06]

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. In December, the Minister made regulations giving legal effect to Ireland's national action programme under the nitrates directive. These regulations were finalised following difficult negotiations between the European Commission and officials of the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Agriculture and Food. In these discussions, both Departments made use of the advice provided by Teagasc. It was the Commission, however, which determined the final content of the regulations.

In January, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government announced a short de facto deferral of Part 3 of the regulations, which covers nutrient management. This was to allow Teagasc to submit revised advice in relation to phosphorus limits.

A detailed Teagasc submission, covering phosphorus as well as other aspects of the regulations, has recently been received and is being examined by both Departments. To advance consideration of the submission, the Teagasc document has been forwarded to the European Commission. Officials from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, my own Department and Teagasc will meet with the Commission on the matter tomorrow. The Commission's agreement will be required for any amendments that may be proposed to the regulations. The Commission is open to arguments that are scientifically robust.

A central issue arising from the nitrates directive is the need to secure a derogation which will allow certain farmers to operate, under appropriate conditions and controls, up to a level of 250 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare. The proposal was given an initial presentation to the EU nitrates committee in December and further scientific data has been supplied to the Commission following bilateral discussions. The proposal will need to be discussed again at future meetings of the nitrates committee before approval can be obtained. Securing this derogation is vital for the most productive dairy farmers in particular and it is important that the position on the regulations is clarified at an early date so that the negotiations on the derogation can proceed.

I am working with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to bring matters to a quick conclusion so that Ireland can meet its obligations under the nitrates directive while also safeguarding the future of commercial farming in Ireland and the interests of Irish farmers in general.