Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of the Nitrates Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18785/06]

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 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. In March Teagasc provided a detailed submission which dealt with phosphorus and also with other aspects of the Regulations. 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 that meeting, but indicated that it was up to Ireland to make proposals for changes in the Regulations. In this connection, officials of the two Departments and senior Teagasc personnel have since had detailed technical discussions on the main elements of the Teagasc submission. I and my officials have maintained close contact with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and his staff in considering the changes in the Regulations. This work has progressed well and I understand that Minister Roche is now about to send his proposals for changes to the Commission.

The Commission's agreement will be required for any changes but I am satisfied that they are open to arguments that are scientifically robust. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and I will continue to work together to bring this matter to a conclusion and at the same time create the conditions for the negotiations on a derogation, which is vital to a large number of more intensive farmers to proceed.