Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 357: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department has proposals to encourage conservation agriculture in the tillage sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17408/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The concept "conservation agriculture"in the context of tillage undoubtedly embraces at least the principles of minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover with plants or residues and the use of crop rotations and cover crops.

Minimal soil disturbance by the use of alternatives to ploughing is increasingly being practised in Ireland. The current Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS 4) recognizes the importance of minimum soil disturbance and incorporates a measure to encourage greater uptake of shallow non-soil inversion crop establishment, for which the farmer will be paid.

Although the other principles I have referred to are not associated exclusively with conservation, all Irish tillage farmers would regard permanent crop cover and crop rotation as good practice. There is a benefit to water quality as well, and for that reason the principles outlined above feature in the Nitrates Regulations (Good Agricultural Practice for the Protection of Waters) made by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to give effect to the Nitrates Directive. Article 21 of the Regulations, which apply to all agricultural holdings, governs ploughing and the use of non-selective herbicides.

These principles were also taken on board when standards for Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) were drawn up for Ireland in the context of cross compliance under the Single Payment Scheme.