Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the status of Ireland's request for a derogation on the Nitrates Directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36622/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland's application for a derogation under the Nitrates Directive was approved at a meeting of the EU Nitrates Committee on 13 November. The draft Commission Decision on the matter is now going through a routine scrutiny process, and I expect the formal Decision granting the derogation to be finalized by Christmas. My Department will be publishing full information and guidelines for farmers at the earliest opportunity.

The derogation, allowing for the application of livestock manure containing up to 250 kg nitrogen per hectare will be available to grassland farms on an individual basis. This is a very significant development for intensive farmers, particularly those in the dairying sector.

While we had argued strongly for extending the derogation to include farmers wishing to take in pig and poultry manure, this was unfortunately not acceptable to the European Commission. I believe, however, that transitional arrangements for pig and poultry producers in the Nitrates Regulations themselves will give those sectors the support and time they need to adapt to the requirements of the Regulations.

The Commission services were very helpful to Ireland in getting the derogation proposal through the approval process without delay. I have already expressed my appreciation to them for this and I am glad to do so again. I am also grateful to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government and his officials and to Teagasc for their valuable support and assistance on this issue which is so important to Ireland's farming sector.