Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps which she will take via Teagasc and secondary legislation to promote the use of organic manure as a preferential fertiliser source; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26075/07]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 381: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the steps which she will take via Teagasc and secondary legislation to promote the use of organic manure as a preferential fertiliser source; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26115/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 381 together.

Legislative requirements covering the storage and management of animal manures, fertiliser limits and the timing and method of application of fertilisers are contained in the European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006, made by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

It is normal agricultural practice to apply animal manures produced on the holding to the land as fertiliser, subject to the conditions laid down in the Regulations. The use of imported animal manure as a source of additional nutrients, or as a substitute for chemical fertiliser, may be appropriate in certain circumstances and I would encourage farmers to do so when possible.

I am aware that for certain sectors of farming, such as the pig and poultry industry, it is desirable that farmers in general should use organic manures in preference to chemical fertiliser whenever possible. I believe that farmers, producers and farming organisations have an important role to play in promoting the utilization of organic manures. I have also asked Teagasc to make farmers aware of the nutrient value of slurry and the savings that they can achieve by substituting it for chemical fertiliser.

In its proposals to European Commission for REPS 4, which forms part of the Rural Development Programme 2007-13, by Department had sought approval for a supplementary measure designed to promote the use of pig and poultry manure by REPS farmers as a substitute for chemical fertiliser. Unfortunately the Commission rejected this element of the proposals and it was not possible to include such a measure in the new REPS.