Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 121: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food her views on changing the restrictions imposed on farmers for slurry spreading to facilitate a traffic light system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30406/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The implementation of the Nitrates Directive is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice for Protection of Waters) Regulations 2006 were made by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government following a comprehensive consultation period involving input from stakeholders and other interested parties and the proposals, including prohibited periods for fertiliser spreading, were specifically agreed with the European Commission as part of Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme.

The prohibited periods for fertilizer application are set out in the Regulations, as are the other factors that farmers are obliged to take into account when considering fertilizer application outside of those periods. I believe that the terms of Ireland's Action Programme are as favourable as it was possible to achieve in discussions with the European Commission, having regard to the requirements of the Nitrates Directive and the need to protect water quality.