Written answers

Tuesday, 17 October 2006

Department of Agriculture and Food

EU Directives

7:00 pm

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the advice and information that she has given to farmers regarding the implementation of the Nitrates Directive on farms; her views on holding information meetings on the issue; her further plans in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32928/06]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Regulations giving legal effect to the action programme under the Nitrates Directive came into effect on 1 February, 2006. Following de facto deferral of certain elements of these Regulations to allow for the submission of revised scientific advice by Teagasc, new amended Regulations entitled the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 were introduced on 18 July 2006.

My Department has participated with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in lengthy consultations with the farming bodies through the development of these Regulations. A detailed advertisement was placed in the press in February 2006 to provide information to farmers and a cross-compliance information booklet which issued to all farmers from my Department in August last provided further details in relation to the nitrates rules.

My Department, in association with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, is currently preparing a handbook for all farmers which will explain in clear terms all elements of the Nitrates regulations. The handbook, along with a copy of the Regulations, will issue to farmers next month in advance of the holding of information meetings by my Department and Teagasc at various venues around the country to explain the requirements of the regulations.

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her role to date on the implementation of the nitrates action plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32751/06]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The implementation of the Nitrates Action Plan is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The regulations to give legal effect to the action plan were signed by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on 18 July, 2006 and replaced regulations introduced in December, 2005.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government engaged in an extensive consultation process with all stakeholders, including my Department, on the action programme prior to the introduction of the regulations. My Department was actively involved in framing revisions to the original regulations, which introduced greater flexibility and addressed some concerns raised by farmers. My Department is now playing a lead role in presenting Ireland's derogation request to the EU Nitrates Committee. The derogation request, which would allow certain farmers to operate, under appropriate controls and conditions, up to a level of 250kg of organic nitrogen per hectare per annum is at an advanced stage of consideration by the European Commission.

In addition, a number of commitments relating to the Nitrates Directive in the form of improvements to the Farm Waste Management Scheme and the Dairy Hygiene Scheme and substantially increased REPS payments (REPS 3) have been delivered. Furthermore a new Farm Waste Management Scheme designed specifically to assist farmers meet the requirements of the Nitrates Directive was introduced in March, 2006.

My Department is involved in delivering the necessary information to farmers on the requirements of the Nitrates Regulations. A detailed advertisement was placed in the press in February last. An information booklet on cross-compliance was issued to all farmers in August, 2006 and this provided further details in relation to the Nitrates rules.

My officials, in association with officials in the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, are now finalising a handbook which will explain to farmers in clear terms the various Nitrates requirements. The handbook, along with a copy of the regulations, will be issued to farmers shortly. Information meetings for farmers involving my Department and Teagasc are being arranged for various venues around the country to coincide with the issue of the handbook.

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