Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to address the burden placed on farmers by the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40448/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps she is taking to ease the burden of paperwork placed on farmers by the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40449/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 51 together.

The implementation of the Nitrates Directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Following a process of consultation with the farming organizations and other stakeholders, the Minister, Deputy Roche, made the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 some months ago.

A number of measures to help farmers meet their obligations under the Regulations are already in place. In accordance with the Sustaining Progress agreement, improvements to the Farm Waste Management Scheme and the Dairy Hygiene Scheme and substantially increased REPS payments were delivered in 2004. In March 2006 I announced further significant improvements in the Farm Waste Management Scheme, designed specifically to assist farmers meet the requirements of the Nitrates Directive. Subject to the approval of the European Commission, I am making proposals in the new Rural Development Programme, specifically in the context of REPS, that will help farmers further.

With the support of Teagasc and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I have recently secured the agreement of the EU Nitrates Committee to a derogation which will be available to grassland farms on an individual basis and will allow farmers to operate at a level of up to 250 kg organic nitrogen per hectare. This is a very significant development for intensive farmers, particularly those in the dairying sector. Under the new Rural Development Programme I am also proposing that farmers availing of this derogation should also have access, for the first time, to REPS.

My Department is also committed to giving farmers practical help where possible and to keep the burden of paper-work to a minimum. In the last few weeks, all cattle farmers have been sent a Nitrogen and Phosphorus Statement for 2005, using information on the Department's databases. This Statement will be sent out every year from now on. As regards record-keeping generally, records that are already being kept for other purposes and meet the requirements of the Regulations are acceptable; and most of the information needed is already on the Single Application form, stock registers and CMMS profiles. There are some additional records which must be kept, and examples of how to keep these are contained in the Explanatory Handbook which was issued to all farmers recently.

In addition, my officials and Teagasc staff are currently holding a series of 36 information meetings throughout the country. At these meetings, farmers are given information to help them understand the practical aspects of the Regulations. They also have an opportunity to ask questions about any particular concerns they may have.