Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if the deadline for farmers to provide the minimum manure storage capacity on livestock farms will be extended from 31 December 2008 to December 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16859/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters) Regulations 2005 prescribe minimum storage capacities for livestock manure and other substances on farms. The storage capacity required for pig manure must be in place by 31 December 2006. The storage capacity required for other livestock manure must be in place by 31 December 2008. I have no proposals to amend the Regulations in this regard. The Minister for Agriculture and Food has announced a number of measures, including a revised and significantly improved Farm Waste Management Scheme, to assist farmers in meeting their obligations under the Regulations.

Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 482: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the advice of Teagasc in relation to nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser limits as recently submitted to his Department; if he will include the limits put forward by Teagasc for both nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser limits when restoring part three of the regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16860/06]

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 483: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding negotiations in Brussels in relation to the Nitrates Directive; if a decision will be made on same based on the scientific evidence prepared by Teagasc; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16870/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 482 and 483 together.

Consideration of the issues arising from recent scientific advice on the implementation of the Nitrates Action Programme is being advanced by my Department, the Department of Agriculture and Food and Teagasc with a view to developing a formal submission to the European Commission this month.