Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the level of improvement in the control of farmyard pollution over the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3955/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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While baseline data on the pollution control facilities on Irish farms has been compiled for 2002, I am informed that there is little detailed historical data which could be used for comparison. However the level of investment over that period, taken together with other developments, is likely to have given rise to a considerable improvement.

Over the past ten years my Department has provided grant aid of some €225 million for investment in farm waste management. During the same period the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS) has had a significant impact on pollution control and awareness on Irish farms. REPS has detailed requirements in relation to nutrient planning and the storage and management of organic fertilisers. The number of farmers currently in the Scheme is more than 59,000 and I expect the numbers to grow further under a revised Scheme to be introduced as part of the new Rural Development Programme.

Further improvements in the control of farmyard pollution are likely to result from the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 which were made by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in July 2006. The Regulations address pollution from agricultural sources and include detailed provisions in relation to the storage, management and application to land of organic and chemical fertilizers. The Regulations form part of the Cross-compliance requirements under the Single Payment Scheme.