Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 478: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans she has for changes to the nitrates directive regarding the ploughing of land; if allowances will be made for farmers to start ploughing in mid-December, in view of the fact that farmers feel they cannot get all the work done in the allotted timeframe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31678/06]

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, who made Regulations on 18 July 2006 giving legal effect to Ireland's National Action Programme under the Directive. The Regulations, which replaced those made in December 2005, were the subject of a comprehensive consultation process involving the farm organisations and other stakeholders.

The requirements in relation to ploughing are set out in Article 21 of the Regulations. The Regulations do not prohibit ploughing in mid-December, but impose certain requirements in relation to the subsequent sowing of crops and provision of green cover where arable land is ploughed prior to 15 January.