Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 739: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the number of inspections that have taken place regarding the nitrates directive in County Mayo and nationally on a county basis. [10355/07]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 740: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the person who is carrying out the inspections in relation to the nitrates directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10356/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 739 and 740 together.

The rate of on-farm inspection required for cross-compliance is 1% of those farmers to whom certain Statutory Management Requirements (including the Nitrates Directive) or good agricultural and environmental condition (GAEC) apply. In 2006 this resulted in some 1330 Cross Compliance inspections under the Nitrates SMR.

33 of these inspections were in County Mayo. The figures nationally on a County basis are as in the table. In all cases the inspections are carried out by Technical Agricultural Officers of my Department.