Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 466: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of the Nitrates Directive and the derogation application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33028/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland's action programme under the Nitrates Directive was given legal effect by the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006, which were signed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on 18 July, 2006. Consideration of Ireland's proposals for a derogation to allow certain farmers to operate, under appropriate conditions and controls, up to a level of 250kg of organic nitrogen per hectare per annum is at an advanced stage in the European Commission. Officials from my Department and the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government made a presentation regarding our derogation proposals to the EU Nitrates Committee on 19 September 2006. Questions were subsequently received from member states and these have been responded to in writing by Ireland. A further meeting of the Committee was held yesterday and I am hopeful that a positive Commission proposal on our request will be presented for approval at the November Committee meeting.