James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 364: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to reform water charges on farmers including the introduction of a special livestock rate to support investment and structural reforms in agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33740/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Water charges apply to the farming sector in the same way as such charges apply to any business. Local authorities are required to recover the cost of providing water services from the users of these services, with the exception of households using the services for domestic purposes. The Government's water pricing policy provides for full cost recovery without profit, with charges based on actual metered consumption. Metering incentivises all non-domestic users, including farmers, to manage and conserve their use of water. That is an essential element in implementation of the polluter pays principle required by the Water Framework Directive.

In relation to a livestock rate of water charge, the requirement for non-domestic consumers to pay for water services applies regardless of the use to which the water is put. Public water supply schemes provide only treated water to consumers. It would not be practicable or appropriate to supply a lower quality of water to farm customers.