Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she is satisfied that farmers are fully aware of the compliance rules under the nitrates directive. [8826/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 were made by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in July 2006.

In order to inform and assist farmers with the Regulations, my own Department produced an Explanatory Handbook for farmers setting out in clear terms their obligations under the Regulations. This Handbook, together with a copy of the Regulations, was sent to all farmers in October 2006. In addition, my Department made use of its data holdings to send organic nitrogen and phosphorus statements to farmers in respect of the 2005 calendar year. Statements in respect of 2006 are being prepared at present, and will issue as early as possible.

A series of open information meetings took place between 20 November and 4 December 2006, conducted by my Department in conjunction with Teagasc. The dates and venues of these meetings were widely publicised by way of advertisements in the farming press.

While my Department is committed to minimising the practical burden of compliance with the Regulations, responsibility for compliance rests ultimately with the occupier of a holding. Farmers should therefore ensure that they have read and understood their obligations under the Regulations and they should, if necessary, obtain professional advice from their agricultural advisers. My Department is currently arranging specific cross-compliance-related training for Teagasc and private planners, in accordance with the provision, in the Regulations governing the Single Payment Scheme, that member States shall set up a system of advising farmers on land and farm management to be known as the "farm advisory system". This system will cover the Statutory Management Requirements, including the Nitrates Directive, together with Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition associated with cross-compliance.