Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on whether an integrated rural environment research centre is necessary in the wake of the nitrates directive chaos where scientific data and evidence seemed to be fragmented, inconclusive and inadequate to allow effective decision making to take place. [9590/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am satisfied that the range of scientific expertise already available within Teagasc and the structures within that organisation are sufficient to provide advice of a very high quality. The revised advice on the nitrates regulations recently supplied by Teagasc, representing the work of a group of experts in a range of disciplines, is comprehensive and draws on a large body of research.

Over the coming weeks, Teagasc expertise will continue to be used by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and my own Department in the context of negotiating changes to the nitrates regulations. The outcome to these negotiations will depend ultimately on a critical evaluation of the Teagasc advice by the European Commission's own scientific experts. Teagasc will also be closely involved in discussions in respect of Ireland's derogation application and in other measures arising from the nitrates regulations, such as promotion and research measures to assist the pig and poultry industries in meeting the specific challenges presented by the nitrates directive.

Teagasc will continue to carry out research into aspects of agricultural production and to place emphasis on ensuring that research and development results and technology developments are published and transferred rapidly to its clients via its advisory and education programmes.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding the nitrates directive as it will affect pig and poultry farmers as well as intensive dairy and beef farmers; when a statement will be made on the most recent scientific information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12213/06]

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 Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Agriculture and Food.

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 respect of phosphorus limits. A detailed Teagasc submission covering phosphorus, as well as other aspects of the regulations, was received earlier this month. Officials of the two Departments have been examining it and a copy of the Teagasc advice has been provided to the European Commission. Officials of the two Departments and representatives from Teagasc met the Commission on 22 March where the Teagasc experts were given the opportunity to present the revised scientific advice and to clarify certain aspects. The Commission did not offer any definitive conclusions on the new advice at last week's meeting. The Commission will continue to study the Teagasc advice and to assist this process, Teagasc has now made available copies of various background research work.

The Commission's agreement will be required for any amendments that may be proposed to the regulations and I am satisfied that the Commission is open to arguments that are scientifically robust. However, it is important that the matter is brought to a quick conclusion so that negotiations on a derogation, which is vital to a large number of more intensive farmers, can proceed.

I am aware that some farmers, particularly in the pig and poultry sectors, may find it more difficult to find spreadlands for the organic manure they produce. Considerable efforts have already been made to alleviate the impact of the nitrates regulations on the pig and poultry industries and to help farmers to meet their obligations. Nevertheless, I have asked my officials to give the matter further consideration. Given that pig and poultry manure is high in phosphorus, there will be a limit to the amount of land where it can be spread. The most suitable outlet for this kind of manure is tillage land. There is more than enough tillage land in the country to utilise all of the pig and poultry manure but I am conscious that not all producers have tillage land nearby. The high liquid content of pig manure, in particular, makes it expensive to transport. Pig producers should, therefore, start looking seriously at technology for separating solids and liquids. As part of the new farm waste management scheme, which I announced last week, grant aid is available for this kind of technology. Pig and poultry producers are now eligible for this scheme for the first time.

I also urge other farmers to show solidarity with pig and poultry producers by taking their manure instead of using chemical fertiliser. I have asked Teagasc to make farmers aware of the nutrient value of slurry and the savings that they can achieve by substituting it for chemical fertiliser.