Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of the Nitrates Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32753/06]

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. The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006, signed by Minister Roche on 18 July, 2006 give legal effect to Ireland's Action Programme under the Nitrates Directive.

Local authorities and the EPA are designated control authorities for the purposes of the implementation of the regulation. My Department's role is in the context of ensuring that EU cross-compliance requirements under the Single Payment Scheme are met by farmers receiving payment under that Scheme. Compliance with the Nitrates Directive is a statutory management requirement under the Single Payment Scheme.