Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the incentives in place for farmers regarding farm waste and disposal of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40710/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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A revised Farm Waste Management Scheme was launched by my Department on 24 March 2006 as part of the arrangements to enable farmers meet the additional requirements of the Nitrates Directive. The principal changes to the Scheme include:

(a) an increase in the standard grant-rate from 40% to 60%, with 70% being available in the four Zone C counties;

(b) an extension of the Scheme for the first time to sectors such as horses, deer, goats, pigs and poultry, and mushroom compost;

(c) the removal of any minimum income requirements from farming from the Scheme so that all small farmers can participate in the Scheme; and

(d) an increase in the maximum eligible investment from €75,000 to €120,000 per holding.

In addition, a Pilot Waste Processing Facilities Scheme is also in place which supports the demonstration of new technologies for the treatment of livestock manures in order to assist sectors, such as pigs and poultry, meet the requirements of the Nitrates Directive. Both Schemes close for new applications at the end of 2006.