Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on whether her Department should be the sole agency inspecting farms under the nitrates directive as part of their single farm payment cross-compliance obligations; her further views on whether such inspections should only take place in accordance with the charter of farmers' rights under single farm payment cross-compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15745/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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An important part of the reform of the CAP leading to the creation of the single payment scheme is the creation of an effective link between EU support for agriculture and measures aimed at protecting the environment and improving the countryside as well as achieving high standards in food safety and in animal health and welfare. Farmers receiving direct aid under the single payment scheme are required to observe various statutory management requirements, SMRs, on the environment, food safety, animal health and welfare and plant health. They must also maintain their land in good agricultural and environmental condition. This is known as cross-compliance.

My Department, as the EU accredited paying agency, will have primary responsibility to ensure that the required level of cross-compliance inspections is carried out and for fixing any sanctions to be applied. At the same time the competent control authorities are responsible for ensuring compliance with the standards and requirements defined under the SMRs and good agricultural and environmental conditions. For example, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency have statutory responsibility for compliance with the requirements defined in the sewage sludge, nitrates and protection of ground-water directives. The existence of cross-compliance inspections under the single payment scheme does not preclude the competent control authorities from meeting their own obligations under the various SMRs. There is a requirement for cross-reporting between the competent control authorities and the paying agency.